Ezra 6-Nehemiah
“And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.” Ezra 6:21-11
Even in God’s judgment, He showed mercy unto His people. His purpose in sending the Jews into captivity is so that they would completely turn back to Him and not just for a short time, but of their own accord.
“This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.” Ezra 7:6
Lord, I know that You have no reason why You should endure me any longer. But again I ask Your forgiveness for my foolishness and sin, and ask You to make me a ready scribe like Ezra was and put Your hand upon me that I may do Thy work. Lord, thank You for Thy tender mercies that are shown moment by moment to me.
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:10
Need I say more…? Lord help me to prepare and to keep my heart with all diligence to seek after Thee, that I may do as Thou hast commanded Thy servant.
“And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.” Ezra 7:25
Lord, this is a wonderful verse! “teach ye them that know them not.” Lord, help me not only to be a ready scribe but one who teaches them that know not the word of God to follow and to fear Thee.
“For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.” Ezra 9:9
Lord, I just cannot get over Thy mercy and how that even when Thy hand of chastening must be upon Thy children and Thy people, the love and care that is given unto them. Thank You O Lord for Thy tender mercies.
“Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.” Nehemiah 1:8-9
Again, Lord, there are your tender mercies. That Thou wouldst forgive the sin of Thy people if they were to turn back to Thee. Lord, forgive my sin and transgression that I may follow after Thee with a pure heart.
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