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Again and again…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 9:1 After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices….”

It’s easy to read today’s chapter in the context of guilt. The remnant is guilty of not living as they should. Ezra feels the weight of that guilt, even though he just returned. He is appalled. God has been so good to them, again and again, and yet they are still so very disobedient.

Ezra 9:2 …And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.”

But instead of reading this chapter through the lens of guilt, I see it through the eyes of God’s grace, mercy, and compassion. He could have wiped them off the face of the earth. He could have reduced Ezra to a pile of ash because of the guilt of Ezra’s people. But He shows grace. He shows compassion. He shows mercy.

Ezra 9:3 When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that as undeserving as I am, You still allow me to approach Your throne, You still shower daily me with undeserved blessings and mercy. Help me, when I deal with undeserving people, to treat them as You treat me, with compassion, mercy, and grace. Thank You for unconditional, fierce , compassionate love. Amen.

Ezra 9:15 “LORD, the God of Israel, You are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before You in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in Your presence.”

Have a blessed day.

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The hand of our God was on us…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 8:21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.

As I read through this chapter, I knew I wanted to pull these verses for today’s reflection. I believe fully in God’s sovereignty and power. I know He is at work in my life and the lives of my family. But I still doubt and fear when I cannot see a way. I struggle daily to shed this part of myself, to lean into Him and trust because I KNOW He’s got me.

Ezra 8:22 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….”

It feels like a personal failing, but I think I’m making progress. Yesterday, instead of utterly freaking out when I logged in to finishing grading for school and saw NONE of my classes and assignments, I texted our tech person, trying to hold panic at bay. When she responded that she wasn’t near a computer, I took a deep breath and rooted around in my history until I found what I needed. That calm was not from me. And today, as I was in the middle of my prayer and study time, my family needed my help, and it felt like a gift, not a burden, to stop and help them. Thank You, Jesus.

Ezra 8:23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for showing me first hand how You are making a way in the wilderness of my fear. Thank You for calm and compassion that come straight from You. Thank You for not giving up on me, no matter how slow and reluctant I can be. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Ezra 8:31 … The hand of our God was on us, and He protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

Have a blessed day.

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Hope even in the most hopeless of times…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel.

Ezra’s heart is for God. His goal is to study God’s law, to practice it, and to teach it. Artaxerxes wants to placate any gods of foreign conquests so that he and his sons do not face the deity’s wrath. It’s a security measure, but God uses it to help Ezra with his heartfelt quest of knowledge and teaching.

Ezra 7:23a Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven….

This chapter brought Romans 8:28 to mind: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of the those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” When I think about all the mess I’ve seen, heard, and dealt with this semester, I know God can use all of it. He is using it. He is making a way where there is no way. Thanks be to God.

Ezra 7:23b …Why should His wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons?

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You can use all things, even those things that seem impossible to be used for good. You can and will and do use all things for our good and Your glory. Give us hope even in the most hopeless of times, Lord, because You are making a way, even if we can’t yet perceive it (Isaiah 43:19). Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Ezra 7:27 Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way.

Have a blessed day.

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Greatly encouraged…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 6:14 So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo…. (NIV)

I would have missed the significance of this verse were it not for commentary, which talked about the need for divinely inspired encouragement because “God’s blessing on the work did not make the work easy to do.” This is the verse that really spoke to me.

Ezra 6:14 So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo…. (NLT)

It’s not that I expect the work to be easy, but when I’m mentally and physically exhausted, I lose sight of the fact that I have divinely inspired encouragement as well. We are meant to encourage each other, to lift each other up. It’s how believers help each other–by reminding each other what we know to be true when the stress and worry of life bombard us.

Ezra 6:14 With great success the Jewish leaders continued working on the temple, while Haggai and Zechariah encouraged them by their preaching…. (CEV)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that life will be hard, sometimes much harder than others, but that You are with us always. Thank You for the ability to encourage each other, to remind each other of Your goodness and sovereignty, even in the difficult times. Draw us closer, Lord. Help us to shine Your light. Amen.

Ezra 6:14 The Jewish leaders made good progress with the building of the Temple, encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah…. (GNT)

Have a blessed day.

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Making a way…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 5:2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

Ezra 5:5 begins “But the eye of their God was watching over the elders and the Jews….” I suppose that could be viewed as creepy or intrusive, but to me, it is very comforting. It puts me in mind of Psalm 139, especially verses 7-12, which begin, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” And in this Christmas season, it also puts me in mind of a babe born in a manger, “Immanuel (which means God with us”) (Matt 1:23).

Ezra 5:3 At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?”

In the difficult times, when I am giving my all, when my sacrifice is simply showing up and doing my best even though I feel I have nothing left to give, God is with me. He sees my sacrifice. He knows my struggle. When I try to pray for those who bully and hate, instead of responding in kind, God is with me. When I shine His light as a beacon of hope for all who are struggling to take the next right step, God is with me, with all of us. He sees. He knows. He is making a way in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19). Thank You, Jesus.

Ezra 5:4 They also asked, “What are the names of those who are constructing this building?” 

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are with us. Always. When we struggle, when we fear, when we doubt, when we respond to hate with love, when we face impossible odds, when we shine Your light for others, You are there. You see. You know. You are making a way. Thank You. Amen.

Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was watching over the elders and the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.

Have a blessed day.

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If we are faithful…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 4:1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God is Israel….

The commentary on this chapter gave me some background on Samaritans, their history, their relationship with the Jews, which I found fascinating. But my primary feeling while reading this chapter was anger, outrage. How dare they?!? Who did they think they were?!?

Ezra 4:4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.

However, just yesterday, I was reminded of the amazing way our Savior works, through untenable situations, through bizarre situations, through situations that seem like a fluke. He is at work. He can bring good from those situations. IF we are faithful.

Ezra 4:5 They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are at work, that the worst thing is never the last thing, that anger and outrage, impotent fury, can be incredibly dangerous. Thank You for the ability to step back from these toxic emotions and to see that You are still in control, still working things for our good and Your glory. Draw us closer. Help us reside in Your peace. Amen.

Ezra 4:24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Have a blessed day

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A concentrated effort…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 3:11b …And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

I think we’ve covered the fact that I have a hard time with change. And this chapter brings my attention back to the fact that our attitude is so important, especially as we face the daily changes of life. Being committed to seeing and celebrating (or at least acknowledging) the inherent blessings in our lives helps us to have a more positive attitude. 

Ezra 3:12 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.

Yesterday I made a concentrated effort to look for and celebrate the positive. I did not ignore the negative, I wasn’t toxically positive, but instead of allowing the negative to consume me, I consciously sought out the positive as well. There were things that could have ruined my day, but I chose not to obsess on them. This practice made an incredible difference to my overall attitude yesterday. It is definitely a practice I need to continue to incorporate in my daily life.

Ezra 3:13a No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that we can choose to wail and lament over what is lost or we can make a concerted effort to find and celebrate the beauty and blessings that You abundantly provide. It’s not easy, Lord. The negative, the loss, can easily draw us in if we allow. Give us the strength to focus on You. Help us to praise You for Your goodness, love, and mercy, which abound. Draw us closer. Amen.

Ezra 3:13b …And the sound was heard far away.

Have a blessed day.

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Direct my thoughts to the blessings…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 2:1 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon….

Commentary on this chapter put me in mind of the idea blessings abounding when you look for them because it talked about the captives going into exile stripped of everything and now returning “abounding in the most substantial riches…. Thus we find God, in the midst of judgement, remembered mercy….”

Ezra 2:64 The whole company numbered 42,360.

Today is Monday. It is raining. It would be easy to fall into the trap of last week—fear, anger, stress. But I don’t wish to. And I know I have the power not to go there with my thoughts because my precious Savior is sovereign and in control. He has given me a spirit “of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Tim 1:7). 

Ezra 2:68 When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are in control and that I can direct my thoughts to the blessings in my life. Thank You for the many blessings, for Your graciousness, mercy, and love. Help me to focus on You. Draw me closer. Amen.

Ezra 2:70 The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.

Have a blessed day.

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A renewed heart…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also put it in writing:

Your eyes are not deceiving you. The first three verses of Ezra are exactly the same as the end of 2 Chronicles. One might think that the theme of hope would be the same as well. That’s not what I’m finding. Commentary indicates that 1. Ezra and Nehemiah were originally written as one book and 2. They are about the need for a change of heart, a new heart within the people.

Ezra 1:2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.’”

So what does all thus mean to me? After reconnecting me with hope during this increasingly stressful semester, what lesson can I learn? I need a new heart, a renewed heart. In order to keep from sliding back into the abyss, I’ve got to make changes. Jesus, Help me.

Ezra 1:3 “‘Any of His people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.’”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for hope and renewal that can only come from You. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Amen.

Ezra 1:5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.

Have a blessed day.

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The message in the ruins…. (devo reflection)

2 Chron 36:15 The LORD, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because He had pity on His people and on His dwelling place.

My pastor has an expression: “The worst thing is never the last thing.” It is a message of hope, a message to keep looking for God’s grace, mercy, and compassion in life because it is there. The books of Chronicles have been billed from the beginning as “…essentially…books of hope, grounded on the grace of our sovereign Lord.” So as I read this last chapter of 2 Chronicles, full of evil kings, the fall of Jerusalem, and exile, I knew I had to keep the bigger picture in mind so as not to miss the message in the ruins.

2 Chron 36:16 But they mocked God’s messengers, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against His people and there was no remedy.

It helps that I know that the books of Chronicles are not the end of the story. We haven’t even gotten to the New Testament yet, to Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. So even as I see the human pigheadedness that leads to death, destruction, and  exile, I know that there is more to the story. I know the hope of Christ.

2 Chron 36:22 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also put it in writing:

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that the worst thing is not the last thing, that You are loving, merciful, and compassionate, that You are here. Thank You for the reminder to cling to the hope and peace that can only come from You. Draw me closer. Infuse my life with Your hope and peace. Amen.

2 Chron 36:23 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build a temple for Him in Jerusalem in Judah. Any of His people among you may go up, and may the LORD their God be with them.’”

Have a blessed day.