The Gracious Hand of the Lord
Like many of you, I use a devotional Bible to help me stay on track when reading through the Word. It helps tremendously, especially during those times when you are so desperate for a word from God that you don't know where to go first. I want to recommend that you just start reading. Where you begin is not really as important as you may think. Just being there is what matters most of all.
Settling down to read the Scriptures will put you in the right frame of mind to hear God's voice, no matter what passage you're reading. It's much easier to sense His leading to particular chapters or verses when you've established an environment that is conducive to a spiritual encounter, and reading the Bible definitely changes the atmosphere.
I love the historical books, and recently, I had a great experience when I opened the book of Ezra. Honestly, it took me completely by surprise. I approached my daily readings with no idea of what God was preparing for me. I longed for a word from Him, but He already knew that, so it was easy for Him to arrest me after I quieted down and opened the Word.
Ezra, you'll recall, comes on the scene in biblical history after God's people had begun returning to Jerusalem, following their Babylonian captivity. In fact, in my version, the book of Ezra is given the theme: "Return of the Remnant." Zerubbabel would precede Ezra in overseeing the rebuilding of the physical temple. Ezra would be tasked with the assignment of calling the people back to the reality of their covenant relationship with their God, and he would enjoy the full cooperation and support of Artaxerxes, the king of Persia.
The Scriptures tell us that Ezra, a descendent of Aaron, was a priest, scribe and a teacher, "well versed in the Law of Moses" (Ezra 7:6, NIV). This helps us to understand what Ezra did and the various functions he served, but along with these descriptors, the Bible gives us some insight into why God chose him and why his efforts succeeded.
The reason for Ezra's accomplishments is alluded to several times in chapters seven and eight. It is first stated in the second half of Ezra 7:6: "The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him." This phrase awakened me. When I saw a variation on it later in this chapter, once more I remembered to "pay attention."
Ezra 7:9-10 says: "The gracious hand of his God was on him. 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" (emphasis added). The foundation for Ezra's life, his success and the favor he enjoyed was his devotion to God and to studying, obeying and teaching others God's Word.
According to Ezra 7, God's hand on him—
· Turned the heart of an unrighteous king to see God's people honor Him and return to their land
· Gave Ezra favor and funding for the tasks involved in restoring the temple in Jerusalem and re-establishing temple worship
· Gave Ezra the authority with the king and his officials
· Gave Ezra the courage and ability to lead and inspire the people of God.
After I read about all these things, I wondered if I could ever aspire to this level of favor and spiritual devotion. I didn't think so. Then God reminded me that even the desire for greater devotion begins with God Himself.
First Ezra studied the Word of the Lord and was given the ability to trust what he knew to be the truth about God, according to His Word. Ezra depended on God and received into his heart the will of God through studying and observing His Word. Then God entrusted him with all things necessary to the execution of His will concerning the Jews--courage, authority and the favor of God and man.
Ezra's name translates, "God is my help." I believe any one of us can aspire to higher levels of favor and authority. If we asked Him to, God will increase our hunger for His Word and make us more diligent to walk in the truth we know, so He could entrust us with even more responsibility.
Is the gracious hand of God on your life? If so, how do you know? If not, why not, and what will you do about it?
Brenda J. Davis is an acquisitions editor for Strang Book Group and the former editor of SpiritLed Woman.
Settling down to read the Scriptures will put you in the right frame of mind to hear God's voice, no matter what passage you're reading. It's much easier to sense His leading to particular chapters or verses when you've established an environment that is conducive to a spiritual encounter, and reading the Bible definitely changes the atmosphere.
I love the historical books, and recently, I had a great experience when I opened the book of Ezra. Honestly, it took me completely by surprise. I approached my daily readings with no idea of what God was preparing for me. I longed for a word from Him, but He already knew that, so it was easy for Him to arrest me after I quieted down and opened the Word.
Ezra, you'll recall, comes on the scene in biblical history after God's people had begun returning to Jerusalem, following their Babylonian captivity. In fact, in my version, the book of Ezra is given the theme: "Return of the Remnant." Zerubbabel would precede Ezra in overseeing the rebuilding of the physical temple. Ezra would be tasked with the assignment of calling the people back to the reality of their covenant relationship with their God, and he would enjoy the full cooperation and support of Artaxerxes, the king of Persia.
The Scriptures tell us that Ezra, a descendent of Aaron, was a priest, scribe and a teacher, "well versed in the Law of Moses" (Ezra 7:6, NIV). This helps us to understand what Ezra did and the various functions he served, but along with these descriptors, the Bible gives us some insight into why God chose him and why his efforts succeeded.
The reason for Ezra's accomplishments is alluded to several times in chapters seven and eight. It is first stated in the second half of Ezra 7:6: "The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him." This phrase awakened me. When I saw a variation on it later in this chapter, once more I remembered to "pay attention."
Ezra 7:9-10 says: "The gracious hand of his God was on him. 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" (emphasis added). The foundation for Ezra's life, his success and the favor he enjoyed was his devotion to God and to studying, obeying and teaching others God's Word.
According to Ezra 7, God's hand on him—
· Turned the heart of an unrighteous king to see God's people honor Him and return to their land
· Gave Ezra favor and funding for the tasks involved in restoring the temple in Jerusalem and re-establishing temple worship
· Gave Ezra the authority with the king and his officials
· Gave Ezra the courage and ability to lead and inspire the people of God.
After I read about all these things, I wondered if I could ever aspire to this level of favor and spiritual devotion. I didn't think so. Then God reminded me that even the desire for greater devotion begins with God Himself.
First Ezra studied the Word of the Lord and was given the ability to trust what he knew to be the truth about God, according to His Word. Ezra depended on God and received into his heart the will of God through studying and observing His Word. Then God entrusted him with all things necessary to the execution of His will concerning the Jews--courage, authority and the favor of God and man.
Ezra's name translates, "God is my help." I believe any one of us can aspire to higher levels of favor and authority. If we asked Him to, God will increase our hunger for His Word and make us more diligent to walk in the truth we know, so He could entrust us with even more responsibility.
Is the gracious hand of God on your life? If so, how do you know? If not, why not, and what will you do about it?
Brenda J. Davis is an acquisitions editor for Strang Book Group and the former editor of SpiritLed Woman.
posted by Valerie G. Lowe at
4:04 AM
5 Comments:
YES, THE LORD'S HAND IS UPON ME. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO TELL ALL THAT THE LORD HAS DONE,HOWEVER, I CAN SAY THIS. GOD IS GOOD. HE HAS RESCUED ME FROM THE UNTHINKABLE AND THE UNIMAGINABLES.HIS HAND IS MERCIFUL AND TOUCHABLE. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO SHOW HIMSELF IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE WITHOUT THE GRACE OF GOD, WE CANNOT ENDURE.
I've always been blessed by your articles but this one , has ministered to my spirit like no other article.
I've ;earn't that longing for God wil bring insight; doing His will, will supply favour, and improve my knowlwdge of Him.
I know that it is the hand
of God that rescued me from
the many snares of the enemy.
Had God not intervened countless times I would be dead. There is
no other explaination. I would
be poor, wretched, and still
blind if God had not delivered me.
So yes I know, and now I
recognize His touch, His instruction, His leading.
And most of all, I recognize
and acknowledge His love.
Still in His hand and His Plan,
Randene
When the prodigal son took his own share of his father's possession and went away, his father did not leave his place. When he returned after wasting everything, his father was at home waiting for him. We are the ones who to astray and whenever we return God will be there to receive us with open arms. We know where to find Him when we are ready for Him.
Being in the Hand of the Master is the best place to be, I know that I'm in His Hands, for had it not been His Hands, the enemy would have taken my life already. I thank God everyday for His faithfulness even when I'm not faithful enough to stay in His word like I should.
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