Daily Devotions

The book of Ezra provides a much-needed link in the historical record of the Israelite people. When their king was dethroned and captured and the people exiled to Babylon, Judah as an independent nation ceased to exist. The book of Ezra provides an account of the Jews’ regathering, of their struggle to survive and to rebuild what had been destroyed. Through his narrative, Ezra declared that they were still God’s people and that God had not forgotten them.

Through the narrative of Ezra we witness the rebuilding of the new temple, the unification of the returning tribes as they shared common struggles and were challenged to work together. Later, after the original remnant had stopped work on the city walls and spiritual apathy ruled, Ezra arrived with another two thousand people and sparked a spiritual revival. By the end of the book, Israel had renewed its covenant with God and had begun acting in obedience to Him. 

Ezra was a great man—one of the all-time heroes of the faith. He had the will to lead; he had a heart for holiness; he had a mind for biblical truth. The hand of God was on him, and at the same time he had to be faithful to his calling. The measure of the man can be seen in Ezra 7:10 “Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” This verse is one of the Bible’s best summaries of what it means to be a faithful servant of God’s Word.

Dr. Howard Hendricks tells of when he was a student that there was a professor who made an impact on his life. Howard often saw the professor pouring over his books. One day, the student asked him, “Professor, I’d like to know, what is it that keeps you studying? You never cease to learn.” The professor answered: “Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than from a stagnant pool.” That should be the desire of each disciple: to keep those things that God  brings across our path drinking from a running stream of Living water.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the exemplary life of Ezra and the way that he set his heart to know, study, and teach Your Word. Develop in me an increasing desire to study, practice, and share the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ from this day forward, and I pray that I may be used by You to turn the hearts of some who have strayed from the way of salvation, back to Yourself. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.