August 8
Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30
Paul and Ezra were both men who were willing to do anything to make God known. They were aware of their calling to essentially be disciples who make disciples and thus were willing to do anything and go anywhere that God would call them. Ezra was called by God to leave Babylon and go back to Jerusalem. Though it may sound impressive to return to Jerusalem, this would be akin to leaving a modern nation-state to go to a developing country. He was leaving the wealth and luxury of Babylon to go to a largely broken-down Israel. Yet he did so happily because he knew that joy was found in obeying God and making him known, and not in the extravagance of this world.
Similarly, Paul saw himself as a servant of Christ entrusted to make God's message known to others. Jesus had revealed himself on the road to Damascus, not for Paul to keep it to himself but to share it with the world. So, Paul repeatedly went throughout the Mediterranean region to make Christ known. He was willing to go everywhere, suffer anything, and surrender all because of his calling.
In the same way, we are called to go everywhere, suffer anything, and surrender all to make Christ known. God has placed us in a particular location, with a specific calling, to be disciples who make disciples, so let us follow in the footsteps of Ezra and Paul and millions of others who have lived up to the calling that God has placed on their lives.
Father God, use me as your ambassador to make you known. Help me to be a disciple who makes disciples and is willing to go wherever you take me. Amen.
Question of the day: How can you more effectively gain a heart that is willing to go everywhere, suffer anything, and surrender all to Christ?
Paul and Ezra were both men who were willing to do anything to make God known. They were aware of their calling to essentially be disciples who make disciples and thus were willing to do anything and go anywhere that God would call them. Ezra was called by God to leave Babylon and go back to Jerusalem. Though it may sound impressive to return to Jerusalem, this would be akin to leaving a modern nation-state to go to a developing country. He was leaving the wealth and luxury of Babylon to go to a largely broken-down Israel. Yet he did so happily because he knew that joy was found in obeying God and making him known, and not in the extravagance of this world.
Similarly, Paul saw himself as a servant of Christ entrusted to make God's message known to others. Jesus had revealed himself on the road to Damascus, not for Paul to keep it to himself but to share it with the world. So, Paul repeatedly went throughout the Mediterranean region to make Christ known. He was willing to go everywhere, suffer anything, and surrender all because of his calling.
In the same way, we are called to go everywhere, suffer anything, and surrender all to make Christ known. God has placed us in a particular location, with a specific calling, to be disciples who make disciples, so let us follow in the footsteps of Ezra and Paul and millions of others who have lived up to the calling that God has placed on their lives.
Father God, use me as your ambassador to make you known. Help me to be a disciple who makes disciples and is willing to go wherever you take me. Amen.
Question of the day: How can you more effectively gain a heart that is willing to go everywhere, suffer anything, and surrender all to Christ?
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