Topic: Burdened Heart [DCLM Daily Manna 10 July 2019 Daily Devotional]
Text: Ezra 10:6-8 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan, the son of Eliashib and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away” (Ezra 10:6).
MESSAGE:
Faced with the frightening information that mass murder and extermination had been determined by Haman against her people, Esther the queen asked for a three-day fast for God to intervene and frustrate the plan of the wicked Haman. This, however, brought an intense burden to her that nothing else in this wide world mattered to her anymore. At this time, Esther could not have waited or delayed an extra minute because of what was about befalling the entire Jews at Shushan.
In today’s account, burdened by the sin and trespasses of the people, Ezra had gone into the house of God to pray and had confessed his and the people’s sins, weeping and casting himself down. It is said that a leader’s example is a leading example. The result of Ezra’s action was positively instantaneous. Within three days, “there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore”.
Ezra as teacher and God’s appointed leader of the people was bothered and burdened that Israel was sliding back into the path of sin that led the nation into captivity less than a hundred years before. Their repentance therefore had to be genuine and all-involving.
Following Ezra’s example, a great majority of the general populace including priests called for radical reformation. The lesson is clear: when a leader leads aright and in conformity with God’s word and commandments, the people will unquestionably follow. This is why every saved soul must endeavour to practise whatsoever he preaches. Be a good leading example.
Thought For The Day: Learn to be the doer of what you preach.
The Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 20–21
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
