Ezra Chapter 7. Be Encouraged.
God calls Ezra, the priest, to Jerusalem from Babylon. The king of Babylon has found favor in Ezra and provided all he needed and respected the God of Israel. The king encouraged Ezra to establish himself in Jerusalem. Because of the king's great amount of encouragement and support, Ezra took courage and left Babylon with others in order to settle themselves in Jerusalem.
I have two thoughts regarding this chapter:
1. Do my authorities find favor in me? Do I respect my authority, despite our differences? Would my authorities admire my work ethic and level of respect?
2. We need to be encouraged by each other. Life can get tough at times and we need that encouragement to ensure we don't give up. We all need it.
Lord, help me look at my job as a mission field. Help me respect my authority and co-workers and any people that come here. May I shine the Light of Christ at Edinboro Camp so people find favor in me and enjoy having me around. Help me to know when to be firm and when to be compassionate.
Lord also help me to be an encouragement to others. When people leave my presence do they feel buildup or torn down? And Lord, may your Holy Spirit encourage me when I need it, whether it be through your word or through a certain individual or individuals. Thank you! In Jesus name amen!
I was thinking today about how our testimony may be seen by others in how we respond to those who have authority over us. I’m sure that we would all like to have things go the way that we want them to as it appears like it did for Ezra with the king granting him all that he asked as we read in verse 6 of this chapter, but what if it doesn’t go that way for us? How do we respond? Do our words and actions show honor and respect or defiance and rebellion to those who are leaders over us? Is the love of Jesus displayed or is there something else in our hearts that becomes visible?
Take a look at what is written in 1 Peter 2:17-21.
“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.”