September 16
Ezra 4:7-23, 7:1-8:36
What do you pay attention to more in life, the good stuff or the bad stuff ? The fun stuff or the hard stuff ? Since most of life is filled with a mixture of all these things, we need to intentionally watch what we give our attention. The Israelites had been continually pestered by those already in the land and were commanded to stop rebuilding the city. This would have been a disappointing series of events to say the least. It is not hard to imagine the grumbling, complaining Israelites. Yet at the same time Ezra was coming to Jerusalem. He was coming with money, resources, and most importantly God’s words. The people could have mourned the commands against the rebuilding or celebrated Ezra and the return of more exiles. If they chose to focus on what God was doing, then they would be able to experience joy and hope. Or they could simply wallow in self-pity because life wasn’t as easy as they wanted it to be. We have these same opportunities in front of us. It is important that we focus on what God is doing in our lives. We need to be able to see his hand at work and live filled with an attitude of thanksgiving. I encourage my kids all the time to have grateful, thankful hearts, and we all should be encouraged to have this same mindset.
Father God, help me to rejoice in all that you are doing in and through me. Help me to have eyes to see you at work and give you the praise that you deserve. Give me a heart to rejoice in your goodness. Amen.
What keeps you from seeing God at work?
What do you pay attention to more in life, the good stuff or the bad stuff ? The fun stuff or the hard stuff ? Since most of life is filled with a mixture of all these things, we need to intentionally watch what we give our attention. The Israelites had been continually pestered by those already in the land and were commanded to stop rebuilding the city. This would have been a disappointing series of events to say the least. It is not hard to imagine the grumbling, complaining Israelites. Yet at the same time Ezra was coming to Jerusalem. He was coming with money, resources, and most importantly God’s words. The people could have mourned the commands against the rebuilding or celebrated Ezra and the return of more exiles. If they chose to focus on what God was doing, then they would be able to experience joy and hope. Or they could simply wallow in self-pity because life wasn’t as easy as they wanted it to be. We have these same opportunities in front of us. It is important that we focus on what God is doing in our lives. We need to be able to see his hand at work and live filled with an attitude of thanksgiving. I encourage my kids all the time to have grateful, thankful hearts, and we all should be encouraged to have this same mindset.
Father God, help me to rejoice in all that you are doing in and through me. Help me to have eyes to see you at work and give you the praise that you deserve. Give me a heart to rejoice in your goodness. Amen.
What keeps you from seeing God at work?
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