This is the 102nd day of the year. It is also the fourth day of the fifteenth week and the fourth day in the third 49 days of the year. Day 102 is a fourth-season day. It is April 12 in a clear year and April 11 in a leap year. The Bible patterns for understanding the 102nd day are 1) the fourth day of creation narrative, 2)
Day 102 is a fourth day of creation day. The fourth season is a season of lights. God created the luminaries on the fourth day – the sun, the moon, and the stars. The lights of the fourth season are to be for seasons, to divide the day and the night, to rule the day and the night, and also give light to the earth. God gives light because of darkness. God guides us by His word, revelations from the Spirit, and by wise counsel, to keep us from becoming victims of the darkness that fights in the fourth season. Darkness does not kill but it frustrates. It makes you hurt yourself. In the fourth season, darkness manifests through temptations and trials of faith. In the fourth season, light manifests through revelations and wisdom. Success in the fourth season is by dependence on, and engagement of, light.
Day 102 is an Ezra-chapter-seven-day. The seventh chapter (fourth section) of the fifteenth book of the Bible is applicable to the fourth day of the fifteenth week. In the seventh chapter of the book, Ezra received favor from the king and returned to Jerusalem to teach the people the law. Ezra 7:8-10 says, “And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. [9] On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. [10] For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel”. God’s word is light; and that’s what Ezra took to Jerusalem at this time. He was the light-bearer and luminary of the season. He went to Jerusalem to point the people to God and His word. Today, may the Lord will send you light from His word; and also send you as a luminary to people in need of light.
Day 102 is a Psalm 102 day. Psalm 102 opens with the psalmist’s prayer to God for personal troubles. The first eleven verses is about “I”, “Me”, “My” as the psalmist pours out his nine troubles before God. Psalm 102:1-2 says, “Hear my prayer, O LORD, And let my cry come to You. [2] Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; Incline Your ear to me; In the day that I call, answer me speedily”.
THE NINE TROUBLES OF THE PSALMIST
Psalm 102: 3-11 says,
- [verse 3] For my days are consumed like smoke, And my bones are burned like a hearth.
2. [verse 4] My heart is stricken and withered like grass, So that I forget to eat my bread.
3, [verse 5] Because of the sound of my groaning My bones cling to my skin.
4. [verse 6] I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.
5. [verse 7] I lie awake, And am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
6. [verse 8] My enemies reproach me all day long; Those who deride me swear an oath against me.
7. [verse 9] For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping,
8. [verse 10] Because of Your indignation and Your wrath; For You have lifted me up and cast me away.
9. [verse 11] My days are like a shadow that lengthens, And I wither away like grass.
From the 12th verse, the psalmist shifts attention and begins to speak about God – especially His eternity. He turns from “I, Me, My” to “You”, “He”, and “Your”.
In Psalm 102:12-28, the psalmist says nine things about God:
- [12] But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.
2. [13] You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.
3. [14] For Your servants take pleasure in her stones, And show favor to her dust.
4. [15] So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, And all the kings of the earth Your glory.
5. [16] For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.
6. [17] He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.
7. [18] This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD. [19] For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; From heaven the LORD viewed the earth, [20] To hear the groaning of the prisoner, To release those appointed to death, [21] To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem, [22] When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
8. [23] He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days. [24] I said, “O my God, Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations. [25] Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. [26] They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. [27] But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.
9. [28] The children of Your servants will continue, And their descendants will be established before You.”
The utterances in the first eleven verses are a product of pain from darkness. The remaining 17 verses is the result of revelation from light. Darkness leaves me with “I, Me, and My”. The Light points me to Him. Darkness comes with anxiety, fear, and complaining, and depression; but light brings hope; and helps you to see that it’s not as bad or hopeless as it seems.
Day 102 is Obadiah – Malachi day in the 15th week. The Bible has seven divisions applicable to the seven seasons of life. The first 30 books of the Bible are applicable to the first three seasons. The last nine books of the Old Testament are applicable to the fourth season – like this fourth day of the 15th week. The fourth season is the end of the Old Testament of the seven seasons. The 27 books of the New Testament apply to the last three seasons – the New Testament side of the seven seasons. The last nine books of the Old Testament are books of reconstruction from failure. They are light to those in darkness and despair – giving hope and light for the future. They indicate that Day 102 is a day of light shining to keep the darkness of hopelessness and despair away.
DECREE AND DECLARE: God made us in His image and likeness to rule, have dominion, and impose His will on seasons; as He did with the seven days of creation. He decreed what He wanted for each day. We are to decree what is revealed concerning each day. Today, decree the downfall of the wicked and the lifting and establishment of the just. Today, prophesy an end to something in your life, family, business, community, and nation. Today, raise your voice against wickedness and oppression wherever it is found. Prophesy! Prophesy!! Prophesy!!! Today, also pray to be more sensitive in the spirit; to pick up necessary signals that would help you triumph over the enemy and keep darkness away. Today, pray to be delivered from falling into temptation. Pray to be preoccupied with the person of God; and to be focused on His mandate and His revealed purpose for your life. Be careful to weigh every decision in light of God’s purpose for your life; and God’s purpose for the time. Today, proclaim an end to woes and declare the dawn of a new day.
Prayer suggestion: Today, Lord, enable me to move my eyes from “I, Me, and My” to “You” alone. For when I look to you, then you lead me to see others. Help me take my attention from temporariness to permanence; from time to eternity, and from mortality to immortality. Lead me back to your Word. Thank you Lord”. Happy 102nd day!
Learn more about this day in history: http://timelines.ws/days/12_16.HTML
