Corona Devo 1117

The attacks on us are real.  Somedays it can feel like there's a 200 pound gorilla sitting on our chest.  ...Like our hands are tied tightly behind our back and we can't accomplish anything for God and the stress on our mind, heart and spirit can sideline us.  

That was me yesterday.  Maybe it's you today.  One thing after another.  There's no coming up for air, but there are gasps of desperation.

So when I woke today, I couldn't wait to get to my Bible.  God speaks to us through his Word and I needed Him.  Each day I am determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord (the Bible), but after a day like yesterday...I crave it.

As I cracked open the Bible, I was (somehow) expecting to sit in my yuck of yesterday.  But when I started reading about the prophet Ezra, the Bible took me down a different road, and I had to buckle my seat belt.  It was a wild ride (to me)...because it was a joy ride.  I felt the "heavy" lift and the blessing settle in.  

I wasn't expecting these verses.  I didn't want these verses.  I knew that I didn't even deserve these verses, but I also knew in my heart that God was giving me these verses.  I read them to each member of my family later in the day, because the verses were for them too.  

And they are for you too.  God's Word and His promises are for all of us.  All of us that are seeking Him and seeking to serve Him.  

We will have days when the 200 pound gorillas-of-life sit on us and take the wind out of us, but stay determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord, my fellow prophets of God's Word and His ways...and our loving Heavenly Father will keep His gracious hand on us.  

~~~

Many years later, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, there was a man named Ezra... (6) This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. 

He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him.

(8) Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in August of that year. (9) ...for the gracious hand of his God was on him. (10) This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.  ~Ezra 7:1, 6-10

Lord, may Your gracious hand be upon us today.  May we determine (purpose/set-aside/prioritize) time with You and time to study and obey Your Law (The Bible).  And lord, may we be like Ezra in teaching those decrees and regulations to the people.  

Lord, Ezra was FOR You: speaking and teaching others Your ways and Your Word.  Help us to live like Ezra today, Lord!   Amen.

The verses in Ezra Chapter 7 go on to say how the king (a non-Believer) blessed Ezra and financed his voyage.  The king provided Ezra (and the people's) Temple sacrifices, and he even gave Ezra the responsibility and privilege of using any extra valuables as he best saw fit (Any silver and gold that is left over may be used in whatever way you and your colleagues feel is the will of your God.  ~Ezra 7:18).  

If you need anything else for your God’s Temple or for any similar needs, you may take it from the royal treasury.  Ezra 7:20  

Ezra was a man who was determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel, and God made it clear to Ezra that He was with him. 

Lord, be with us today!  We are determined to be with You, and we are committed to Your Word and to sharing it with others. 

As I read all about Ezra, I knew that God was encouraging us.  Yes, living for the Lord is (very) hard some days, but today will be good and full of blessing.  God could have said anything to me in His Word this morning, but that was what I "heard".  

And, like reading an outline, and then having the paragraphs filled in later...God proved Himself correct all day.  

From the moment I began reading the Bible today---I sensed the lift in my spirit because of His presence.   (...because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him  ~Ezra 7:6)

And when got to my desk at work, I had two sales waiting in my Inbox...  (...because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him  ~Ezra 7:6)

A few hours later, I received a text from our daughter who had a hard day yesterday too.  (...because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him  ~Ezra 7:6) 

On the way home I listened to a song I haven't heard for a long time and (Jamie Grace) was singing (to God) about my day! (https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=3uFSSATjjio) 

Well ya, took my day and you flipped it around...Calmed the tidal wave and put my feet on the ground...
And last, but certainly/deliciously/lovingly not least...I got a gift in the mail today from a loved one that I only know because she reads these devotionals, which I humbly share because I have determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people...  

The Lord blows me away.  His Word, His Truths, His mercies, His discipline...and His encouragement.  
He blesses us so intimately, and He deserves our praise.  Ezra thought so to:

Ezra Praises the Lord  

(27) Praise the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who made the king want to beautify the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem! (28) And praise him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me....  ~Ezra 7:1-28

Let's praise the Lord, the God of our ancestors today.  His Word is alive, and it speaks to our hearts.  Please, let's determine to spend time with Him.  And to share Him with others!  

And today--may each of us feel encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord our God is on us....


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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