Ezra Chapter 9. Perseverance = Victory.
Ezra finds out how the Israelites are practicing evil with their non-israelite neighbors. And the leadership started it. Ezra flips out and is appalled. Ezra prays to God in shame and is disappointed because God saw fit to allow them to start over and return to Judah and Jerusalem, and the people were praising the Lord and doing so well, then all of a sudden they go back to the very sin that got them into exile.
2 thoughts:
1. I'm reminded of Romans 12:1-2 where we are told to offer our bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God and that we are to no longer be conforming to the patterns of this world.
There are certain things the world does that we conform to. It could be lust, anger, swearing, adultery, lying, really anything. We need to examine ourselves and truly seek God to help us not conform in any area of the worldly practices.
2. Just as the Israelites do again the sins that got them into trouble, so we have times when we get stuck with a sin that we just can't let go. It starts with a renewed mind. You have to want to change. The holy spirit is capable of helping us, plus our Brothers and sisters in Christ can be helpful partners in holding us accountable. How bad do we really want to stop sinning? And don't give up. Don't get to the point where you feel so dirty you think God can't forgive you anymore. Keep turning to the Lord, keep confessing your sins. The victory is ahead.
I was reminded today of how God is always faithful and good, even when the Israelites fail over and over again.
May we not ever take God’s love, mercy and grace for granted, but follow Him with sincere and grateful hearts.
Here’s a couple of verses that I looked at today.
Romans 10:21.
But of Israel He says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
I recently started a devotional about sacred rest and how God intentionally planned for us to rest just as He did on the 7th day after creation was complete. I am connecting that devotional with today’s reading because sometimes we get so busy, we fill our lives up with so much “stuff” we lose sight of knowing God and resting in His peace and presence. We also may not be taking the time to reflect on how we are living our lives or the sins we commit in the hustle and bustle of our days. During this pandemic it is more apparent than ever that God’s people struggle to rest in His presence and reflect on their lives. Consumed with news (guilty!) and what if questions, and when will things be back to normal, and I need to work, and the economy and our finances! With this unique opportunity we’ve been given, how many of us are resting with the Father, renewing our spirits and minds instead of wondering what is to come?
SOOOO true Sarah!!!