Ezra 9:8-9 (KJV)
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
Ezra was well aware of the actual condition of the people of Israel. They had gone into bondage but, though the decree to return had been given, only a remnant wanted liberty from that bondage. The people of our world are slaves to trespasses and sins and, because of it, are living lives of condemnation. The thing is only a handful of them want out. As merciful as God is, the majority is more comfortable in bondage than in Liberty.
Ezra was thankful even for a little reviving. He said that the mercy of God that granted them reviving also gave them:
A house of God
If revival is liberty from bondage, the first step of living in liberty is union in a house of God. There is no true worship with God outside of that local house of God, a church.
If revival is liberty from bondage, the first step of living in liberty is union in a house of God. There is no true worship with God outside of that local house of God, a church.
A repair of desolations
The life of bondage is destructive. Once we are free in Christ we are to set about to repair in our lives what sin had ruined.
The life of bondage is destructive. Once we are free in Christ we are to set about to repair in our lives what sin had ruined.
A wall in Judah and Jerusalem
A wall gives security. God gives growing believers security of salvation the moment of salvation and a growing assurance of that security as we come into God’s house and as we make those repairs.
A wall gives security. God gives growing believers security of salvation the moment of salvation and a growing assurance of that security as we come into God’s house and as we make those repairs.
To my readers:
First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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Ezra 9:8-9 (KJV) A Little Reviving
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