Ruins to RestorationSample

PRAYER:

PRAY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD HELP YOU TO DEVELOP A PASSION FOR

READING AND OBEYING THE BIBLE

DEVOTIONAL:

In Ezra 7, we are introduced to the man of whom this book is named after; Ezra. We learn about

his family tree and that he is a scribe in the Law of Moses or in simpler terms: this man knows

the Bible and knows it well. Not only that but we learn that the “hand of the Lord” was on him

and as a result, he had favor that can only be accredited to God.

What is interesting about this passage is that in the last Scripture we read today, amongst all of

the other descriptions we get about Ezra, there is one that should stick out to us in verse 10: “Now

Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and

ordinances in Israel.”

Let’s talk about this idea of the “determining in our heart” to not just study the word but to obey

it. All too often we can treat our time in the Word as something that exists for no other reason but

to get us more head knowledge but in reality, that is not why the Scripture exists. When we come

to the Bible, surely we ought to make an effort to understand it with our head, but it can’t stop

there; we must make an effort to understand with our head, allow it to change our heart, and

determine to obey it with our hands by obeying it in our day to day lives.

Question:

Have you ever treated your time with the Bible as something for you to just gain head

knowledge instead of allowing it to change your heart and your actions? If so, how can you

determine today to not just read it but to obey it?