THE LORD’S INSTRUMENTS (PART 1)

The Old Testament gives us examples of men and women God used as instruments to fulfill his promise. But one person that stands out because of his character and having the right attitude is the priest Ezra. Not many people study Ezra or even spend time learning about his accomplishments, because he didn’t do great things like Moses, Joshua or David. I give him credit for having the right attitude when it came to serving God. Here is a man that comes back with a second group of Babylonian exiles to Jerusalem and while God is using Zerubbabel to be leader on the rebuilding of God’s temple; Ezra is teaching about the Law. So here you have one person leading the rebuilding, another teaching God’s word. But just when things couldn’t get better, trouble arises. It says, “despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation…” (Ezra 3:3) Doesn’t this sound familiar, especially when we try to serve the Lord, there’s always opposition, and sometimes it comes from those closest us?

The people who lived around Jerusalem were pagan; they worshipped other God’s and did not know the God of Israel. All they knew was that these new neighbors are here and they are doing something we don’t understand, they are worshipping their God and we don’t like it! Could it be that they were acting out of fear, because they knew the power of Israel’s God? But this was not going to deter the Jews from accomplishing their goal that is, to rebuild a place of worship for their God. Ezra and the Jews were determined to get the job done. Their hearts were in the right place; they were not focused in themselves, but in giving honor to the Lord. When we have the right attitude and character, when we put God ahead and not behind, he will be gracious unto us.

Today, as we discover the ministry God has given to us, let us walk with the right attitude bringing honor and glory to what we do and accomplish, Ezra was an instrument of honor that God used to teach the Law to Israel in a time when they needed to be reminded of what their God had done for them. The times may be different, but the message is the same – let us continue to serve and worship a most gracious God who has done so much for us.