The Kings Renovation & Recognition

The Kings Renovation & Recognition (Ezra 7:27-28)

Ezra 7:27-28, “Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.”

Ezra concluded by thanking and praising God for having put such things into the heart of the king for the further beautification of the Temple. Moreover, he thanked God for granting such mercy before the rulers of Persia. He again noted God’s hand upon him. Therefore, he began to gather together out of Israel chief men to go up with him to Jerusalem. Ezra knew who had done the work, and he blessed the Lord because of all that God accomplished. God would accomplish His work, He would choose a king, and He would put it into the heart of the king to beautify the temple in Jerusalem. God tells us in His Word how He leads people in Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” God was the One who controlled the king's heart and made him act so favorably toward the work of the Temple in Jerusalem. God put this into the king’s heart, and Ezra knew that God’s mercy had prospered all he had done. Ezra blessed God and explained how He had extended His steadfast love to him. Ezra studied the Bible and prayed, and God showed him mercy. This reminds me of the psalmists prayer. Psalm 119:10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Psalm 119:135, “Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.”

Dallas Willard (1935-2013) taught philosophy for 48 years at the University of Southern California. Dallas emphasized the importance of intentionally choosing to live your daily life in ways you believe Jesus would live it if He were you. He considered spiritual exercises like prayer, service, study, worship, solitude, and fasting as an important means of an intentional decision to grow in Christ likeness through God’s grace. After battling stage four cancer, he finished his life on May 8, 2013, with these last two words, "Thank you." He died like he lived, with gratitude overflowing from his relationship with Jesus Christ. We have so much for which to be thankful. Jeremiah put it this way in Lamentations 3:22-23, “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

The hand of the Lord was upon Ezra and the Jewish people. Because of God’s hand, the king had a desire to beautify God’s house in Jerusalem. That was a big deal to him, and it should be a big deal to God’s people, too. The mercy that Ezra received from the leader in Persia was not taken for granted. Ezra was very grateful for them and what God had done in their hearts. Thank God for the mercy the Lord has given to us and for His mercy on our families and our ministries. God’s hand strengthened Ezra and enabled him to carry out the task that God called him to do. God equips those whom He calls, and He equipped Ezra and provided for him. He can do that for you, too. Thank God for His hand of care, concern, compassion, consideration, comfort, and control.

God’s power is at work through this man Ezra, who set his heart to study, do, and teach the Word. Ezra left us with a strong example of a faithful servant. We, too, must be faithful with all that God has given us, whether talents, abilities, or opportunities. We are to carefully and wisely use what God has given. We are to use our skills and abilities as a strong witness to further the kingdom of God, to bring Him more glory. So it is with the responsibilities and duties assigned us. We are not to neglect, nor fail to carry out, any task entrusted to us, whether at work, home, school, or anywhere else. When a responsibility is set before us, we are to tackle and complete the work, giving a strong witness of diligence in serving the Lord. God can use you to make to an impact for Him.

We have such a sweet spirit within our church family, made up of people whose hearts truly desire to bring glory to God. The Lord has blessed our church with talents, and they are using their talents and sacrificing so much of their time for the entire church family. Please pray with us and for us as we continue to labor for the Lord.

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