Returning to Holy God (May 14)
The good news of Ezra’s arrival at Jerusalem is tempered by the bad news of mixed marriages in the community. Jews are permitting their sons to marry heathen women from neighbouring territories. Even the priests, Levites and civic leaders are involved – a condition which the law of God condemns & which Ezra finds intolerable. The process of righting these wrongs is painful, difficult and time consuming. But even those “rainy skies” cannot dampen Israel’s renewed commit- ment to personal & national purity.
Lord, we Consecrate & Return to You:
The people of Israel including priests
and Levites have not kept themselves
separate from neighbouring peoples
with their detestable practices… They
have taken their daughters as wives.
And the leaders and officials have
led the way in this unfaithfulness.
When I heard this, I tore my tunic…
pulled hair…and sat down appalled..
Then at the evening sacrifice, I rose
…with tunic and cloak torn, and fell
on my knees… and prayed: O my God,
I am too ashamed and disgraced to
lift up my face to You (Ezra 9:1-6).
Now while Ezra was praying and
while he was confessing, weeping
and bowing down before the house
of God, a very large assembly… from
Israel… wept very bitterly… Then Ezra
the priest said: You have transgressed
and have taken pagan wives, adding
to the guilt of Israel. Now therefore,
make confession to the Lord God…
and do His will; separate yourselves
from the peoples of the land & from
the pagan wives (Ezra 10:1,10-12).
Lord, like Ezra’s, we express shame
for sins, fear for consequences
and the desire that people will
come to their senses and repent.
For even when we sin in worst way,
we can turn to You God with prayer
of our unworthiness & repentance.
We look to Your mercy Lord and
trust You God for pardon & peace.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Father God, thank You as believers in Christ, our sins are forgiven; for His death cleansed us from all sin. Confession is also recommitting ourselves to do God’s will and to renounce any act of disobedience. And confession inevitably leads us to repentance, turning away from sin and asking You God for fresh power to live for Him. Amen.
Merciful Lord, Thank You that no one is so far away from You that he or she cannot be restored; for repentance is all that is required. And Thank You Lord that no matter how far we have strayed or how long it has been since we have worshipped You God, You are able to restore our relationship to Him and rebuild our lives. In Jesus’ name.