Monday, 23 June 2008 00:00  |  Written by Alastair McLay and posted in Ezra

During the rule of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra came up from Babylon… Ezra had worked hard to know and obey the Teachings of the Lord. Ezra 7:1 & 7:6

Ezra is a major player in the biggest of big cities - Babylon, the coolest place on planet earth, where everyone wants to make their mark. Well, nearly everyone. Ezra’s heart is somewhere else. He may have the ear of King Arty, but he’s more interested in being known by the King of Kings. He has devoted his life to learning what God wants, and that’s just about to send him on the journey of a lifetime.

Tuesday, 24 June 2008 00:00  |  Written by Alastair McLay and posted in Ezra

Artaxerxes wrote: Ezra, you are sent by the king….to ask how Judah and Jerusalem are obeying the Law of your God, which you are carrying with you. Also take with you the silver and gold that the king… has given freely to the God of Israel. Ezra 7:14-15

Jerusalem was over 1400km from Babylon, and guess what? The car wasn‘t going to be invented for nearly two and a half centuries! The journey might take as long as six months. Was Ezra discouraged? Not at all. He was over the moon. The mission was a sign of the Lord’s great love for him. He couldn’t wait to go. Have you seen past the challenge to the thrill of doing what God asks?

Wednesday, 25 June 2008 00:00  |  Written by Alastair McLay and posted in Ezra

“I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road. We had said to the king, ‘Our God helps everyone who obeys him…,’ so we gave up eating and prayed to our God about our trip, and he answered our prayers.” Ezra 8:22-23

The journey was dangerous, and Ezra had obviously bragged so much about the greatness of God, he didn’t have the nerve to ask for protection. Not from Arty anyway. Instead, the travellers had an all-night prayer meeting, and the results were impressive. Not only did they arrive safely in Jerusalem, they made it in record time. The lesson is simple. Prayer works!!

Thursday, 26 June 2008 00:00  |  Written by Alastair McLay and posted in Ezra

“Finally we arrived in Jerusalem where we rested three days. On the fourth day we weighed out the silver and gold and the utensils in the Temple of our God…We checked everything by number and by weight.” Ezra 8:32-34

It’s amazing how easily those small gold coins can disappear into someone’s pocket! Honesty mattered to Ezra, because he knew it mattered to God. Having carried out the first part of his task, he made sure his faithfulness was properly recorded. Attention to detail is a sure sign we’re following the Lord with our whole heart - not just trying to look good.

Friday, 27 June 2008 00:00  |  Written by Alastair McLay and posted in Ezra

“The leaders came to me and said, ‘Ezra, the Israelites, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the people around us’… When I heard this, I angrily tore my robe and coat, pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat down in shock” Ezra 9:1 & 9:3

As someone who wears a beard, let me assure you that must have hurt. But not as much as Israel’s continued unfaithfulness must have hurt God. Mixing with the godless nations was one of the reasons the people were exiled. And they hadn’t learnt their lesson. That’s why Ezra’s reaction was so extreme. When we’re close to God, what hurts him hurts us.

Saturday, 28 June 2008 00:00  |  Written by Alastair McLay and posted in Ezra

Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful and have married non-Jewish women. You have made Israel more guilty. Now confess it to the Lord…” Ezra 10:10-12

It’s one thing to know that something’s wrong - quite another to stand up and try to put it right. Ezra challenged the people about their behaviour, and amazingly they actually listened! Was he surprised, or what? I wonder if his legs have stopped shaking yet! God gave him the courage when he needed it, and if you’ve got a difficult message to deliver today, He’ll give it to you as well.

Sunday, 29 June 2008 00:00  |  Written by Alastair McLay and posted in Ezra

When the wall of Jerusalem was offered as a gift to God, they asked the Levites to come from wherever they lived to Jerusalem to celebrate with joy…. Ezra the teacher walked in front of them. Nehemiah 12:27 & 12:36

The last time we hear of Ezra, he is still a major player. Compared to Babylon, Jerusalem’s tacky and a bit third rate. Definitely not the coolest place on planet earth. But it’s God’s place and that makes all the difference. He celebrates the goodness of the king who has led him through life and never let him down. Thank God for bringing you to where you are today, and trust him to lead you on tomorrow.