God's gracious hand and our lives!

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to share some thots with all of you as I reenter the world of blogging after a long absence.

I was spending some time in the WORD this morning, I found myself reading in the Old Testament book of Ezra. And in chapter seven these words are recorded there… concerning this unassuming prophet who had been held in exile in Babylon for many years.

In Ezra chapter 7… in the last half of verse 9 and verse 10 the Bible says…

“…For the gracious hand of his God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the LORD and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel.”
Ezra 7:9-10 NLT

“God’s gracious hand was on him…”

Wouldn’t we all love to hear those kinds of words spoken about us? Wouldn’t we love for that to be a reality in our lives? Wouldn’t it be awesome for someone to record those words about each one of us for future generations to read? In this chapter of this often unread Old Testament book… the author records words… that I have to believe every person of faith would want as the description of their lives!

Well… thankfully for us today… the author in this section also allows us to see what I believe were the things that allowed this reality to be a part of Ezra’s life.

You see… there were three things recorded here for us that Ezra made a commitment to in his life. Three things that he made a stand on… that he desired to be part of his life that allowed these words to be spoken of him.

And the first thing that this passage tells us is that Ezra made that kind of commitment in his life. It tells us that he dedicated himself to studying God’s WORD in the fullness that was available to him at that time. He made a commitment to study and to learn about the God whose hand was upon him and his life. It is vitally important for us to know the ONE who we claim to love and serve. It is critically important for us to know what He desires for our lives through His WORD which teaches us about the things that God wants for each of us.

But he didn’t stop there!

The second thing that we read that he made an effort to do… is he applied what he was learning! Ezra not only learned about his God… he made a determined effort to apply what he was learning to his life! He made an effort to take the 12 inch journey from the head to the heart. He believed and was committed to put into practice what he had discovered in his time in the WORD. Now… this is an absolute necessity to deepening our relationship with God. Ezra made this commitment in his life and God’s gracious hand was upon him as he learned what it meant to live according to God’s plans and purposes for his life.

But once again in this passage we learn that he didn’t just stop there!

You see… sometimes we get so wrapped up in the personal nature of our journey with God… and I think we like that kind of language because it fits our individualistic society... that we forget about those around us.

But in this passage we see that Ezra made a commitment to one final thing that allowed him to receive favour and grace from God… he taught others what he had learned along the journey of obeying and applying God’s WORD to his life! The author records for us that Ezra made a commitment to teach what he had learned both intellectually and practically! That is the main reason he was released from captivity and allowed to return to Jerusalem… so that he could teach the people there about the God they served! You know... it is important for us always to remember that we are called to pass on what we are learning and what we have learned... and not to keep it to ourselves.

Ezra dedicated himself to learning about His God… and he committed himself to applying what he learned… which is the heartbeat of obedience. And finally he devoted himself to sharing with others what he had learned along the way. His commitment to these three things allowed the author of this Old Testament book to apply his description of Ezra’s life in the way that he did in these two verses and elsewhere in his writings.

You know… I heard a quote this weekend as I spent time involved in one of my favourite fall pastimes… watching NFL football. One of the sideline correspondents… a former NFL defensive lineman who is now coaching his son’s Pee Wee football team quoted someone famous… who once said…

“Knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted!”

You know… I believe that is so true! And as you journey with God each day my prayer for each of you… and myself… is that we will be open to share what God is doing in our lives with those around us. You never know what God will do in the lives of family… friends… and coworkers as we are willing and open to be used in that way.

However I do know one thing… God’s gracious hand will be upon you as you do… because that is the kind of God who loves us… and who desires for us… to walk with Him on this journey of life and faith!

Many blessings to you all…

Rev Trev

“The LORD will fulfill His purpose for you; your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands”

Psalm 138:8 NLT