The Gracious Hand of God

 Ezra 8:22 (NIV)  “…The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him…”

            From time to time I enjoy revisiting the Book of Ezra. Historically, it is a book that chronicles the return of the exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezra, for whom the book is named, is a fascinating person and he was a descendant of Aaron—Moses’ and Miriam’s brother. It took Ezra about four months to make the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem (v. 7:9) and by the standards of that day, it was apparently a short trip. Ezra is quick to note the reason; because the Lord was with them. In fact, this is the focus of today’s devotional.

            There are at least six times Ezra references the hand of the LORD being with him. (See verses 7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31) Ezra knew he was following God’s will; he had a boldness and confidence that God was with him. To me, that speaks volumes. Is it possible for us to live with such confidence today? How was it that Ezra could have such boldness? I think Ezra gives us a clue from his own life:

Ezra 7:6, 10-11 …this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. … 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 the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the LORD for Israel…

            The confidence of Ezra came from studying God’s Word; learning that which he studied; and living out that which he learned. Remember, too, he was exiled in Babylon and I can’t imagine the availability of scriptural scrolls was very plentiful. Certainly not like today when we have so many complete Bibles available to us in a wide variety of authentic translations. So what is our excuse? Why do the pages of our Bibles remain closed most of the time? And could our lack of confidence in sensing the hand of our Gracious Heavenly Father be due to our lack of time spent in His Word? It certainly gives us much to think about, doesn’t it?

Psalm 119:11 (KJV) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            So often we wonder why we feel so removed from your presence, when all along it is because we fail to spend time in your Word. Forgive us when we neglect you. Thank you for the faithful presence of your gracious hand when we seek you.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional The Gracious Hand of God appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com