Thoughts for another day

May 27, 2008

Today's verse: Ezra 9:13. seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The book of Ezra deals with the rebuilding of the Temple of Yahweh after King Cyrus of Persia issues a proclamation that any of the people of God who wish to go back to Israel (Jerusalem) from Babylon, where they were exiled, could do so. As they set about the task of rebuilding the Temple, they witness the power of God in first of all rebuilding it unhindered despite opposition from the Samaritans. Then again they see His power in the provision He sends toward them and also in ensuring that they face no danger. After the Temple was restored, they reflected on their life styles and discovered that they had digressed terribly from the law God had given them.

Ezra recalled with fondness the mercy of God and reflected on how Gracious He had been to them; giving context to our above verse. As you read this reflection, peruse the verse and see the loveliness of our God and the amazing mercy that He has spread before us. Look to His kindness for us, in that He chose to punish us far less than our trespasses demanded.

Friend, God is a great Father. He is so endearing and so beautiful. He weeps when we offend Him (you can feel His ache when you sit and commune with Him and you will know that He is saddened to the point of tears). Yet, He never desires to inflict us with pain for the offense we have given Him. He is very very patient with us and allows us no tears at all, just as He died for us but did not allow us to die. He yearns for you even as you turn your face from Him. You are very important to Him and He seeks the same level of importance for Himself from us and is saddened by the fact that we have other things far more important than He is. But don’t fret, being the forgiving God that He is, He intends us to just go to Him and seek His forgiveness so that His blessings will flood our lives. Isn’t it amazing?