Good morning all!
Father, we know that there’s nothing little about You or Your work in our life. We know that you are the Great multiplier and by Your hand You can make it rain down any time you want. Help us Lord to see the little things in life and give thanks for all You’ve done, Amen. Have you ever heard the expression when a little is a lot?
Ezra 9
Ezr 9:5 KJV – And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,
I had a heavy heart so during my evening devotion time with God I completely surrendered all that I am to Him and looked for His mercy.
Ezr 9:6 KJV – And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
God what can I say to You, I am ashamed and find it difficult to even raise my face to You, MY God; OUR sins are greater than we understand, and OUR offense touches the heavens.
Ezr 9:7 KJV – Since the days of our fathers [have] we [been] in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, [and] our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as [it is] this day.
Because of our sins we’ve been given over to the kings of this land, to war, and captivity, we are their spoil, and we are confused even today.
Ezr 9:8 KJV – And now for a little space grace hath been [shewed] from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
And now the window is open, and grace has been given by You, a remnant that will escape this sinful life and hold onto the nail in Your holy place, and you will open our eyes and give is a little freedom.
Bottom line
This is a really cool passage of scripture. Ezra was a priest that help lead Israel out of captivity and help rebuild Jerusalem and the temple after the Babylonians had destroyed it. And Ezra was no flash in the pan pastor, he was steadfast to God and the church and never waffled. He was the one that petitioned the king of Persia to let them go rebuild the city and the church, that’s a bold move. Not only that but when he gets the approval the first thing, he does is gathers some finances so he can provide an offering to God for granting the request…he’s under no delusion that the Persian king was in charge, he knows God made that happen. And now as he begins the long road back, it’s come to his attention that Israel has sinned. So, being the good pastor that he is, he knows he’s gotta make this right with God before they can move forward. Look at his heart, he is truly broken before God and looking for His mercy and restoration. Take note, Ezra again a faithful priest that has not personally engaged in any sin here and yet his heart is still broken, why? For the people! Notice he didn’t say God THEIR sins, he said OUR sins. Listen church, it’s either one for all and all for one or God ain’t feeling it. You want the witness of that word? Father forgive them for they KNOW not. And what exactly was the sin that was above their head that it reached the heavens? PRIDE…it’s the worst sin, the biggest enemy of the church and it’s the only enemy of God.
Isa 65:5 KJV – Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. The only reason we reject one another is pride and as though God’s going to be okay with that? Of course not, He based His entire life on the opposite…it’s called humility and without it we don’t forgive. We think we’re a friend of God much like Israel but when we think we’re holier than others…news flash, your nothing but smoke in God’s nose…nothing more than an irritant. And when we allow pride to enter our life, we’re the one with confusion on our face not God. But God who is rich in mercy does what He does best…FORGIVES…now come on, is there anything more important to us than a God who forgives? I mean our sin reaches heaven, that means it’s really BIG and what’s the response from God? NOW a little space for GRACE, you know a little with God is all you need? Why is anything that God does little? What choice did we give Him? We don’t leave much room for Him in our life. So, what’s that really mean? I think it’s God’s way of telling us can we give Him just a little more room to operate in our life? Can we give Him just a little more time? Lord knows we’ll dedicate a lifetime to living our lives by what we think is important, our issues and circumstances, our beliefs and sometimes our unbelief but can you make a little room for God? Wasn’t that the problem with the birth of Jesus Christ? Nobody had room in their house for this baby to be born so Mary gave birth to Him in a barn. Is God in your house or the garage? Is He is your treasure chest or your fire extinguisher? I promise a little will go long way with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, all we have to do is let Him and He’ll take it from there.
Point to Ponder
You know it doesn’t remain little? Isa 60:22 KJV – A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. That’s a hallelujah, and little reviving makes things real BIG…God just needed room to start.
Give God the room and He’ll go big, In Him Phil
Faith – Family – Friends