Scripture: Ezra 9: 8-9
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.
Scripture Commentary: God gives us a little space for grace to rest in Him
After learning about the sins of the people, Ezra fell to his knees in prayer. His heartfelt prayer provides a good perspective on sin.
He recognized the following:
- That sin is serious
- No one sins without affecting others
- God’s love and mercy had spared the nation although they did nothing to deserve it
It’s easy to view sin lightly in a world that sees sin as inconsequential, but we should view sin as seriously as Ezra did. With weeping, he expressed shame for sin, fear of the consequences, and desire that the people would come to their senses and repent. His prayer moved the people to tears.
Ezra demonstrated the need for a holy community in our local churches too. Even when we sin in the worst imaginable way, we can turn to God with prayer and repentance.
How fortunate we are that God gives us mercy and grace rather than only justice!
The next time you ask God for fair and just treatment, pause to think what would happen if God gave you what you really deserve. Plead instead for His mercy.
Jesus’s love for us is all that we need.
Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezra Chapter 9