Ezra 7:1a,6-10

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah…came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was with him. Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of king Artaxerxes. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

– Ezra 7:1a,6-10

Devotion

While still in Babylon, Ezra was moved to help his people. In order to do this, he surrendered himself to obedience to the law of God, and so prepared himself for the ministry of teaching. This background would be necessary if Ezra were to lead God’s people into a time period of spiritual renewal. God’s law would provide the framework for spiritual renewal in the land. God’s chosen leader allowed the Word of God to shape his life and influence his ministry. This was all part of God’s providential plan.

The Big Question

God calls people to lead and then equips them to serve. As members of the Body of Christ, we are all called to “make disciples” teaching them to obey everything that Christ commanded. Like Ezra, we must devote ourselves to the reading, studying, meditating, and applying of God’s Word to our lives. Do you just dabble in God’s Word? Have you become a serious student of the Word allowing it to influence your thought processes and guide your decisions? Are you devoted to the study and observance of God’s Word?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what God revealed to you today.