Ezra 8-10

The supernatural route

One of the blessings of consistent reading through Scripture is how the Holy Spirit pricks our hearts with a verse or principle in a new and fresh way.  Today’s reading brought one to my heart.

Ezra was such a great man of God, a faithful priest at a crucial time in Israel’s history. So many characteristics stand out: his grieving over the sins of intermarriage with foreign women (with their gods), his public leading of the people in repentance, his shutting of himself into one of the temple rooms for fasting and prayer, and his boldness to stand for the Law no matter the personal cost to him or the remnant of Israel.

Yet, one thing early in chapter 8 illustrates even more his spiritual strength.  Something completely understandable in human terms uniquely disturbed Ezra. He was ‘ashamed’ to go to the king and ask for a military escort down to Jerusalem.  To some this might seem like a cavalier moment, but to simply take the text as written, his concern was the reputation of God. He states, “I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, ‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.’ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” (8:22-23)

Nehemiah, as we’ll soon see, had no issue with asking for a king’s escort. Neither man is wrong, but Ezra stands out as one who was willing to go the supernatural route by not asking the king and instead, fasting, praying, and trusting God for His protection.

In our abundance of material blessing and self-independent spirit, it’s easy to rely upon the natural to take care of situations that arise. Ezra reminds us of the blessing that comes in stretching our faith and depending solely upon God.  Is there anything in your life today that you could choose to trust God with, rather than any resources?

Have a great Memorial Day!

Author: Pastor Jeff

Ezra 3-7

Mixed Emotions

My heart resonated again today with Pastor Don’s note in yesterday’s Thread post. This entire chapter of Israel’s history – their returning to the Land after seventy years of captivity – is a beautiful picture of a spiritual Prodigal returning home.

When we pray for prodigals, it can often feel like a ‘wrestling’ with the enemy over their souls. Satan wants them, they have turned their hearts away from God, but He graciously awaits them like the father did in Jesus’ parable (Luke 15:20). Aren’t you thankful Jesus gave us such a picture of Father God? Israel experienced the same as they returned to the Land and began the rebuilding of the temple. Satan was angry and did all he could to stir up those pagan peoples surrounding Jerusalem. Yet, God’s promises were being realized.  Such grace.  Such mercy.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah have wonderful moments of joy – and joyful praise! They also have times of weeping, mournful weeping. Though the elders initially wept, others rejoiced (3:12), producing a mixture of emotions encapsulating that of a true Prodigal! The brokenness of acknowledging what has been lost with the incredible sense of grace and forgiveness is almost too much to bear in God’s presence. God was restoring His people, Israel, even as He restores the Prodigal.

I continually lift in prayer a list of names of prodigals, one by one. Some I have prayed for over many years. I want to see these men welcomed back by their Father in that mixture of broken weeping and relieved rejoicing. God’s fulfilling of His promises to restore Israel encourages us to persevere in our prayers! As the chorus of the old hymn rang out, “Come home! come home! Ye who are weary, come home! Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home!”  Amen.

Author: Pastor Jeff

Ezra 1-2

Seventy years is a lifetime!  That’s how long Israel was in distant exile, far from the land and life which God promised and delivered – and which they squandered by their repetitive disobedience.  But now, in our reading, the way is open for their return to Zion, and the story is told in Ezra and Nehemiah.

In the days ahead, we’re going to see three significant things: 1) the rebuilding of the temple, 2) the purification of the nation of Israel, and 3) Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.   Each one will make great and meaningful reading.

But today, in these first two chapters, the focus is on a journey from Babylon to Jerusalem.  Some calculate their route as covering 800 miles.   One could call it “the return.”

Ezra is a book of hope and promise.  It is a written testimony that God keeps His promises.   Just as the laws of nature work continually – the sun rises each morning, gravity works 24/7, the earth rotates, the sun shines – in like manner, the promises of God are just as reliable, just as stable.  “The Return” journey is evidence of that.

We are praying much this year for prodigals, those whose journey, for whatever reason, has carried them currently far from God.  We can pray that prayer for prodigals to come home because of hope and promise found in God.

What are you hoping for, waiting for, asking for?  Be encouraged.  It seemed like a lifetime, but God kept His promise and brought Israel home.    God keeps His promises.

Just this morning, in the very public place of a Facebook post, a long-time friend of mind simply posted, “I can’t take much more of this!”   Knowing history and background here, there is one hope – the hope that this person needs… hope found in the faithfulness of God who keeps His promises.

Author: Pastor Don