Ezra 8:31
“Then we journeyed from the river Ahava on the twelfth of the first month to go to Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was upon us, and He rescued us from the hand of the enemy and the ambushes by the road.”
Our last time in Ezra we focused on Ezra’s prayer for protection. He knew the need was there, but didn’t ask the king for security forces as he had boasted about God to him. Ezra didn’t feel like he trusted God if he were to ask the king for help. Today’s passage is his answer to prayer. God came through and rescued them from danger. It sounds like they may have encountered enemies. But they are here to praise God for His deliverance.
God will deliver us from evil. All His children have that testimony. It can be told in many tales, but the same Deliverer. We encounter the same fears and desperation. Yet, we are here to tell the story of deliverance.
God has many names in the Old Testament. One is Jehovah Raah, the Lord is my Shepherd. He leads, guides and protects. He had become that when I had no clue. He did all that. He still does that. I know that now. When I encounter fears I ask Him for help and He gives it.
I John 2:13 says, “I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.” I am a father in the faith. I know God. Unbelievers don’t see that. I am nothing by the worlds standards. But I am a child of the King. I walk with Him. He brings me to those whom He wants to bless. There are millions like me.
Matthew 7:13,14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” We hear the song of the Shepherd and follow it. He leads us to that narrow path. The world and the worldly miss it. God’s highway. The path of blessing and fulness.
Ezra and the Jews were led by God back to Jerusalem. Part of His plan. Wonderful. Isaiah 40:11 says, “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.” Thank You, Lord.
| Jim O’Brien <busloco@gmail.com> | Sat, May 9, 7:50 AM (1 day ago) | ||
to me | |||
I Corinthians 3:1-3
“And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people?”
This is the reason Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians. They had stalled in their growth in Christ. The result of this is that there is jealousy and strife amongst them. This is not the fruit of the Spirit.
The obedient christian crucifies the flesh and yields to the Spirit. Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”‘ When jealousy and strife rise we are to deny those parts of us. It’s not natural to do this. The base parts of us wants to jump in and add to the strife.
Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.” This is what the christian does when we feel strife rising. I Corinthians 13 has this as its high water mark to love one another. Paul is still building his case. He will get there with the Corinthians.
It’s not easy. Our fallen self wants to serve itself. When we feel our rights threatened, we want to demand them. Christ wants us to rise above this. I Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” People forget their grievances when they are loved. That’s what Christ calls us to do. He will help us.
Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The way we do this is to be in His Word and walk in obedience. He will point out where to love and empowers us to do so. He intervenes and changes hearts. It’s wonderful. We will see the power of God often.
We need to be in His Word and we should be associating with other believers. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” God’s power and presence is greater when we gather.
The Corinthians had gotten off track. Paul’s letter is correction. They do respond positively and he writes in II Corinthians praising them.
Lord, help us to stay in Your Word, to walk in obedience to You, loving others. Help us to stay in fellowship with others. Iron sharpening iron.
Thank You.