Of all the spiritual disciplines available to us as believers, I’ll confess that confession is my least favorite.
Call it the chronic perfectionist in me, but I cannot stand having to face feelings or emotions commonly associated with confession. While I know the promise of freedom that’s on the other side, it’s still hard to honestly face the sin of my pride.
If it’s that difficult for me to do with my own sin, I can’t imagine having to go to the Lord and confess the sins of an entire nation. That’s exactly what Ezra has to do in our reading today—carry this huge weight before God in openness and honesty so he can receive God’s wisdom. And it’s not even Ezra’s sin! Ezra didn’t disobey God’s commands not to marry into neighboring tribes and fall into pagan worship. Ezra’s the guy who wanted to restore true worship and the law of God in the newly rebuilt temple! Yet he’s the one we see devastated before God and distressed that this degree of separation has occurred between God and the people—so much so that he takes it to God as if it were his wrongdoing.
I can’t help but see a little foreshadowing of Jesus here. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice for all sin, committed no wrongdoing and yet was so heartbroken over the sin of humanity that He carried that weight to the cross Himself. We vividly see how painful this brokenness is for Jesus—John’s Gospel tells us that in His final breaths, Jesus cries out to God, asking why He’s been abandoned. That’s how deeply the pain of separation from His Father cut. Ezra had a taste of that sorrow as he watches the Israelites stepping away from God’s law.
In reading this chapter, I’m reminded of how seriously God takes sin. Ezra did not mince words when he honestly stood before God in confession.
We also must carefully navigate the tensions between understanding the damaging effects of separation from God and the enemy’s lies that want to keep my attention trapped inside the shame of sin. The unwavering hope of salvation in Christ promises I am free to follow Jesus, unencumbered by sin’s weight of death and shame.
I love that 1 John 1:9 is paired with today’s reading in Ezra because it helps me focus on the reason Ezra models confession for the people: to grant them the freedom of repentance, of turning back to God—because the promise of forgiveness is always waiting for them.
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46 thoughts on "Ezra’s Confession"
Forgiveness is one of the peculiar characteristics of Christianity! Most religions condemn sin to the point of unworthiness, but we, as Christians, enjoy forgiveness and grace despite being unworthy. It’s wonderful to be reminded of the blessing we have in living in holiness, yet knowing that when we sin and confess, the grace and mercy of our heavenly Father is always available. ❤️
Reflecting on today’s reading; I’m reminded that confession is a gift from the Lord. When we sent and hide our sin; it festers like an infected wound. But bringing it before God- He takes it away, He forgives us in mercy, and He gifts us with freedom. Conviction of sin is truly a blessing, because if we went unaware of sin; we may be left in brokenness down the line. But conviction points us to the reality that God is at work. How amazing and merciful is our God! He is so worthy of our praise!
Praying for your dear family and especially Leo. Thank you for asking for prayers.
♥️
I pray that I would stand out in this world. I pray I would look different than the people around me. Sometimes I wonder if I have become too lukewarm. I want to be more on fire for Jesus.
LYNN FROM ALABAMA – Me, again; sorry! I meant to say that Gina is in my prayers for peace, comfort, and wisdom in dealing with this scary diagnosis! Thanks for bringing it to us for prayer!
In Mark 15:34 when Jesus asks God, “…why have you forsaken me,” He’s quoting Psalm 22:1. When you read Psalm 22 in its entirety, although it highlights Jesus’ many struggles at Calvary, it also highlights the victory that would inevitably come post-resurrection. Good stuff!
TERESA DONLEY – ❤
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA – Continued prayers for you and Jack, and as Teresa said, someone to step in and give you a break occasionally. Don’t feel like you have to shoulder this all by yourself! If someone asks how they can help, tell them what you need. Even if you stay in the house while someone sits with him, just getting some personal time would be so beneficial. Ditto to LINDA IN NC and NANCY S! I have so much compassion for each of you because I watched my brother in law care for my sister (as I have mentioned before). ❤
So excited to see She’s joining together for the next few weeks! Like Lynn said, I don’t want to be split up and miss what is going on in your lives!
SEARCHING – I have some study books that I have not done yet. One is The Beatitudes, so I will do that with you. The other is Galatians. I will do that first and it may overlap a bit when we start Beatitudes, but it will workout great!
Today’s Scripture and devotion gave me pause. The way Ezra cried out to God for forgiveness and repentance made me realize that my prayers are lacking. I’m in the habit of just saying something like, “Forgive me Father, for this sin. Help me to stop doing that.” God is looking for a broken and contrite heart. For a heartfelt plea for forgiveness, and true repentance. I pray I can take this lesson to heart and see a radical change in the way I confess, ask for forgiveness, and repent.
LYNN FROM ALABAMA – I am praying for you as you care for Jack 24/7. I pray God will give you strength and energy (both physical and emotional) to be his caregiver. I pray that someone will offer you respite, even just for a few hours, so you can renew your own spirit. I’m lifting Gina to God for her ovarian cancer diagnosis.
RHONDA J – I continue to pray for you as you prepare your lesson for next week’s ministry in the jail. I pray that God will give you peace, wisdom and understanding to prepare this lesson. I’m also praying God will calm your nerves while presenting. Speaking in front of a group can be nerve-wracking. Just remember, you are not alone. Jesus stands with you, and The Holy Spirit will give you the words as you lean on him.
KELLY (NEO), THERESA, RHONDA J, CEE GEE, LYNN FROM ALABAMA, and all who are praying for me — Thank you so much for praying for me. I can feel the peace that God is giving me in the waiting.
HEIDI – ❤️ So good to see you. I knew that you had stepped out for a few weeks, so I copied your idea from the last grace weeks :) thank you for the original idea!
RHONDA J – I was going to post at least once more but will take your advice and post each of our last 3 days of this study. Hopefully our sisters that would be interested will see it & join us. Thanks!
Just a quick check-in :) I have been reading my two books/doing my individual study and it’s been going so great but I have missed reading about everyone’s lives/families/successes/struggles… I had a few minutes so thought I would pop in :) I have in-person classes this weekend so busy busy busy, but hoping for rest soon. I had them last week as well for a different class and I’m so worn out!
So many comments (per the usual in this day and age…) about anxiety/fear/etc… There is an audiobook I’ve been listening too when working out/in the car/doing dishes/etc called “Get out of your head” by Jennie Allen and it has been unreal. JUST the recognition and reminding of HOW intensely the enemy wants access into our thoughts and how easily he seems to just slip in and out without our noticing – but then, when we don’t take those thoughts captive, they camp out and start influencing OTHER thoughts… lie after lie after lie until we don’t even realize how far we are from the truth. If I have learned ANYTHING lately it is the concept behind “the truth shall set you free” – oh my word is that ever the case!!! When free from those lies you begin to recognize them more easily. I think confession has such a value here – the enemy keeps us scared of it out of what – FEAR OF SHAME! The very thing God says that in Him WE WILL NEVER BE GIVEN!!! Our enemy wants to shame us – well, he can go jump in a lake for all i care… CONFESS IT LADIES! Anything brought into the light is brought into the hands and forgiveness and grace of the One who LOVES us and wants FREEDOM for us!! :) :) :) The enemy does NOT want to be seen or found out – and when you do call him out for his nonsense, how incredible it is to stand in the victory of our Savior and be empowered to call him out and force him to flee. We give him so much territory that is just not his… I highly recommend listening (or reading!) this book, it’s been so freeing…
SEARCHING: Love that you are organizing that! I’ve saved the two studies you mentioned so I know where to “find” ppl in the next few weeks here and there :) :) :) Worthy of Praise seems like an amazing place to start right now… ♥️
TRACI GENDRON: I have to be careful bc even I, someone who loves God, recognizes His power and sovereignty over all things, still can fall into the struggle of “why would You let this happen??”… However, in response to your book club/SIL – I think that is so normal for nonbelievers to gravitate to. When we can blame something, it takes blame off of us. Also, it gives us an answer to something we don’t understand, even if it’s the wrong answer, and I’ve learned if humans hate anything, it’s having no answer when one feels so very needed. So we make them up to soothe ourselves. It’s so sad bc His answers and truth are the actual comfort and healing we need, but we just don’t want to make ourselves vulnerable to full reliance on something/one other than ourselves… So amazing you are there in that book club- YOU are God in that group :) I hope they see His love and light in you :)
Wish I had time to reply to everyone.. but I saw you on here and read you on here and love it… Hope you all find beauty in your day and share beauty with someone around you ♥️ “see” you soon!
@Allison- So good!
@Mercy- I love how you explained “the promise land!” That’s a great thing to remember!
@Traci- I love that you shed that example, powerful example(testimony!)!! As I said earlier, I love to be surrounded by Christian friends/people, BUT we are also to shed light to the ones that don’t have it (which sometimes isn’t as fun! lol), and that’s what you did! So I always remember, we are all an influence on the people we are with, we want to influence them our way, and not vice-versa! I tried…but yet, sometimes I feel like I don’t do it in the RIGHT way. I guess all I can do is pray that I plant the seeds, which I think you did! Praise God!! You have such a powerful testimony, no wonder there was SILENCE!!
@CeeGee HEART
I like “Worthy of Praise”. Thank you for helping to keep us connected over these next few weeks. Blessings all.❤️
Thank you so much dear sisters (TERESA DONLEY, KIMBERLEY Z, MICHELLE PATIRE, SHARON JERSEY GIRL, SEARCHING, CEE GEE, KELLY NEO, FOSTER MAMA, LYNN FROM AL, RHONDA and other she’s) for your prayers and love. Sorry if I missed anyone’s names (still catching up, forgive me). I appreciate each and every response you have graciously extended to me, which I really need and cherish. I could not talk about these matters to HR or colleagues because of corporate work culture, I only have you- my dear precious she’s (wealth of wisdom and sincerity you always pour out). Among your words as I read and meditated, the Holy spirit bore witness from within, I thank God that He used your words to guide and uplift me through navigating life. Update on my work, so I wrote an email to the Director yesterday, and hit send. My husband proof read for me. It is now out of my hands, and into God’s hands. Now I wait on God, and hope in His word/promised victory, and praying for grace going through the process.
Lifting our sisters in prayers: TERESA DONLEY (medical tests and results), ALEIDA (Victor), COLLEEN (your dad), LYNN (Jack and Gina), VICTORIA E (work madness, so sorry).
@SEARCHING: I love your two suggestions of studies. Thank you for preparing us.
Be blessed dear sisters. Thankful for each and all of you dear beautiful women of God.
Hello she’s,
The reading today shows me a lot of similarities in our current Christian culture. It feels as if we too are living among the pagan people who seek to please themselves, endless list of idolatry, self worshipping even, anti-God values under the pretense of “love” and false “freedom” that are leading straight to death. How timely and appropriate for us to read these precautions. The warning again of today popped up, don’t marry into these pagan cultures and practices. Hint: be married onto to God/Jesus culture only (do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, never seek their peace or prosperity…Ezra 9:12). I heard the Spirit talk to me, don’t marry yourself into their worldview and ideologies, keep yourself off with all diligence.
Another verse shocked me, “The land that you are entering, to take possession of it, is a LAND IMPURE with the impurity of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations that have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness” (Ezra 9:11 ESV). So the promised land is impure? Yes. This scripture describes the pre-condition of the land, impure because of the inhabitants. The land will spit you out (Leviticus 18:28). There’s something I want to share if anyone can relate. I used to build this image and expectations in my head, when God takes me out of my Egypt (place of bondage), it will be the perfect & glamourous promised land. The Scriptures burst the bubble today…or for a while now haha! I need this to adjust my false expectations of the promised land/ the promised job /career / promised husband /promised … [fill in your own blank]. May we be aware by the things the scriptures are truly communicating. God does not bring us to a land or places or things of perfect condition, but a place that needs our presence and His presence (through us- His yielded vessels) to bring purity, holiness, light and restructuring, and that land will prosper in time by Him – hence hidden treasure in vessels of clay. If we miss this detail, we might miss the promised land- we might think it’s just another place of wilderness or impure place, not worth staying, and we might keep wandering wasting our 40 years. It’s metaphorical but I hope you catch what I am saying. Our presence, as the holy people, where we reside, the land there will be made pure because we carry God within ourselves. That is an incredible revelation I got this morning. The Holy Spirit brought this verse as well to me- showing the same principle that I want to share, “I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel” (Isaiah 45:3). Money, here it’s called treasures of darkness, not treasures of Light, because in the hands of wicked people (say drug dealers, or people traffickers) are rendered impure/ filthy, but if that wealth is in the hands of a godly steward, will bring holiness to the purpose of its use, that money is cleansed. Praise God for His word!
Searching I am interested in The Worthy of Praise Study. Praying for requests❤️
As I was reading the scriptures and devotional today, I couldn’t help but relate it to our world. There is so much blatant sin going on, but yet as Ezra, I had to look at myself. We all sin. It is hard to live in our world today. I sometimes feel so lonely in my faith. I had my bookclub at my house the other night and it was evident that I was probably the only believer. We read Ordinary Grace. My SIL mentioned why does God let things happen. Basically blaming Him for a death in the book. I tried to explain that God doesn’t work that way. He didn’t look down and say, “I’m going to make Tanner sick.” We live in a sinful world and things happen to all of us. He is how we get through it. Well it was crickets after that. The silence was very uncomfortable.
8 But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the Lord our God to preserve a remnant for us and give us a stake in his holy place. Even in our slavery, God has given us a little relief and light to our eyes. 9 Though we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended grace to us in the presence of the Persian kings, giving us relief, so that we can rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. – Ezra 9:8-9 I am a slave to sin- Father forgive me, cleanse me and make me new in You every day!!!
It’s easy to read this and wonder how these people could be so bad, how could they go against God’s laws and defile themselves, how could they be so stupid. But I wonder how many of us today do the same thing, but don’t see it that way. How many of us watch stuff we shouldn’t, how many of us entertain ideas that the world puts in our minds that God would not be pleased with, how many of us try to please other people rather than God, how many of us have taken on the world’s view in many areas because it’s part of our culture, how many of us strive after things of this world that God never meant for us to have, how many of us have priorities that don’t line up with God’s will, how many of us turn a blinds eye to things going on around us and do nothing. I think this passage is supposed to convict us of the things we are doing. Anytime something comes across my path, such as a bible study, I want to see why God put it there. What does He want me to learn from this? If this doesn’t convict us to look deep into our own lives and see where we are following the world instead of God, we aren’t looking. Generations from now, what are people going to say about our generation?, what are they going to think about how we conducted ourselves?
Wow, Ezra’s prayer reminded me so much of how grieved that we should be over the sin cb in our nation and world. It encourages me to continue to pray for our world. I’m so thankful that Jesus made away for us to approach the Father! So grateful for God’s mercy and faithfulness to us!
The intermarrying was more about being holy and Speer from the world. Just as we are in the world but not of this world.
Good morning, sweet She’s! Thank you SEARCHING for the suggestions on studies to keep us together these next four weeks! I definitely don’t want to lose my peeps for four weeks! I googled she reads truth/worthy of praise and it came right up. As a almost 68 year old woman (next week) who grew up very active in the music ministry of my church Worthy of Praise is perfect!
MARI V, MERCY, and VICTORIA E—prayers for wisdom, strength, and direction in your work situations.
CEE GEE—praise God for a good report!
TERESA DONLEY—prayers for strength and courage for you and wisdom for your doctors as you wait for a diagnosis.
TAMI C—prayers for Chela that her anxiety can be brought under control and that she can find some Godly friends at school and in her new city. (As a lifelong Alabama girl, the thought of living in NYC scares me to death )!
ALEIDA and LAURA and all the others who have prodigal children—prayers for those prodigal children and for you to find peace until they “come home.”
Please continue to pray for me as I take care of Jack. Caregiving 24/7 is very isolating and physically and emotionally exhausting. I would like to ask you to pray for my sweet friend Gina. She just found out that she has ovarian cancer.
Love to all of you!
Good Morning!
Yes, this prayer of Ezra tore at my heart as well, as I mourn so much for our country today! @Searching, I so relate to what you said about how it used to be growing up as far as a respect for God and general adherence to those views! And I miss that, and as I read today Ezra crying out a prayer of despair for his set apart country, I mourn for us. As Laura pointed out, as it was the leaders then, it is leaders of our country, leaders of our churches, that are even following along in the sin today. As I was away from all my usual purposeful “church” activities the last 2 weeks, and instead wrapped up with non-believing family and friends, it feels like I was intermingled with foreign people! When we are “set apart” we WANT to be around others like us, following after the heart of God in ALL we do! That means not watching junk tv, standing around talking about others (gossip), talking about all elevated we are above others and in life (pride). Of course, we see this in church and Christians, BUT..our hearts should be focused on Jesus and being sanctified continually. Our hearts should WANT to please and follow after HIM in ALL ways! I WANT more of him daily, hourly. I want to be in my bible, I want to be praying, I want to spend time at church worshiping, or singing songs to him with my radio. Am I a crazy Jesus freak? Why YES, I am! But hopefully it is in a way that shines for Him, not turn people off, but most likely they will think I’m a little over the top, lol.
@Searching- I will definitely follow the studies you are referring to! Thank you! Lets post them again each day for SHE”S to see! (I already forgot the names or I would list them again! Praise for your test results.)
@Tearesa-Thank you for prayers for jail ministry! It went well, but definitely not as smooth as when the leader does it! I am grateful that I was able to be a second person though for our new volunteer! She did good with the lesson plan! Next week I will lead (leader will still be oot, so I will be nervous!) Prayers for your medical tests!
@Mercy and @Victoria- prayers for your work situations
@Sharon-so good!
Ezra 9:8 – “…grace has come from the Lord our God …” Praise God for grace, mercy and forgiveness! And 1 John 1:9 – I totally agree with you, Searching! Joining Sharon, Jersey Girl in her prayer, too!
SEARCHING – I’m in for the 2 short studies idea!!! My brain can use a break from the OT! Thanks for bringing that to our attention and offering a way to hang together over the next 4 weeks. You rock, sister! ❤
MERCY, VICTORIA E, and others with job concerns/opportunities – praying God guides your heart, mind, words, and actions to accomplish His will. ❤
TERESA DONLEY and others facing tests/awaiting results/dealing with health issues – praying for peace of mind and wisdom for each person involved in the process. I hope you saw what I wrote Seot. 12 at 9:15! ❤
COLLEEN DEVEAU – Praying for y’all! ❤
RHONDA J – Hope you had a good response at the prison fellowship yesterday. Praise God you had the energy to do that after that long trip! ❤
ECHOING the most excellent prayers offered up by you precious sisters. ❤
I needed these words today. “The unwavering hope of salvation in Christ promises I am free to follow Jesus, unencumbered by sin’s weight of death and shame.” I had never realized until I read this that in conquering death Jesus also conquered shame and while praying on that I realized He also conquered fear. I am thrilled and devastated at the same time. Thrilled because seeing it written out made me realize I must let shame and fear go if I believe Jesus conquered them and I do. Devastated because I’ve been trapped in shame and fear for ages and there was no need to be. I am hopeful that God’s grace will help me out of this trap now that I so clearly see it for what it is. Thank you for these words today.
What a beautiful prayer of confession, and from someone who wasn’t even guilty of the sin! What a testament that Ezra didn’t point a finger at everyone else and claim his innocence. He included himself, he prayed a humble prayer that all pointed to the mercy of God. The sin of the nation truly appalled him, which led him to such a prayer of repentance. Oh that our hearts would be appalled and that we would pray this way for our nation. Maybe God will be merciful. Maybe He will turn the hearts of the people. Praise God He always gives opportunity for repentance! I am so thankful for 1 John 1:9!!
A blessed Thursday to you all!
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN— I recommend you listen to this week’s SRT podcast because they beautifully go into this topic. This topic starts towards the middle of the episode.
@Kristine L- a lot of the Shes address your question here! God says in Deuteronomy 7:1-4 not to intermarry with the pagans because their hearts would turn to foreign gods and the people would adopt this idolatry. Then in Jeremiah 29:6 when they are addressed about living in Babylon, as @Searching & @LT share, God instructs the people to marry to continue to make Israel populous. It does not say to intermarry with those around them, but to simply to continue to build the nation of Israel.
@Victoria E- for some reason I keep missing your posts (maybe you are using the app?), but as I read the other Shes prayers, I pray peace to you and the hope of Jesus with your situation at work!
@Rhonda J- glad you got home safe :)
@Mercy- continuing to pray for guidance and peace as you figure out your work situation. I remember when @Kimberly Z was asking for prayers last year about the same issue, as she mentioned in her post yesterday. Praying you continue being faithful and see God’s faithfulness to you as you wade through the next bit of this journey.
God bless you, Shes <3
SISTERS – for those that aren’t aware, starting Monday we have 4 Grace Weeks to choose a study, finish a study, etc. SRT suggests Deuteronomy or Joshua (each are 28 days).
If anyone is interested studying something different together and would like to join me, I’ve decided to do 2 14-day studies (thanks to a good friend’s idea) – “Worthy of Praise” first and then (most likely) “The Beatitudes”. You can find either of these by searching in your browser She Reads Truth plus the title of the study. If you can’t find them, post that and I’ll try to show a link.
wow, today’s scriptures in Ezra resonated with me in light of our world today, especially the last part of Ezra 9:2 “… Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass” and from vs 13 “ since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve” and 1 John 1:8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” NKJV
I observe behavior and read quotes everyday that go against God’s word, and the world around me says it’s all good and that they have no sin. Many of you are much younger than I am and have grown up seeing/hearing this public behavior and being exposed to this mindset, but I can clearly remember when I was growing up that most everyone in our neighborhood attended a church, stayed married if at all possible (& if safe) and honored God, even in public schools. Of course people were sinning, but I think there was more accountability, and more of a knowledge/understanding of right and wrong in God’s eyes, and more repentance as a result. I could write all day about this, but will stop here – praying those around us would come to know the Lord.
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – I believe the marrying was to be among themselves and not intermarrying with others, as the last part of Jeremiah 29:6 says regarding marrying and having children “that you may be increased there, and not diminished.” The “you” being the children of Israel – that their own population would grow.
VICTORIA E – praying for workplace issues to be resolved!
LAURA – continuing to pray for your children
MERCY – praying for your job offer and request to new director, for wisdom in evaluating the +/- of the offer in the long term and same with current position, for guidance as you contemplate and for the right words if you move forward with the request. Praying for you and your teammates (especially the one) as we know that anyone on any day can be plagued with inexplicable technology issues.
CEE GEE – praise the Lord for the great news!
@ MERCY, I’m not sure what tech issues you experienced but I might be able to relate….A few months ago I reached out to Microsoft and after HOURS of being on the phone, was told something was not at all an issue — that was horrendous advice as I have now lost SO many HUGE files (year’s worth), crucial to all areas of my life — especially work — only to call recently and be told within a very brief call with an excellent Customer Service agent that it was negligence on whoever’s part a few months ago and…there’s NOTHING they can do.
I’m still holding out hope (and prayer) that my “techie” BIL might be able to help but it’s close to “impossible”
Lord JESUS, I pray for each of my sisters as I read their requests.
In mind now,
MERCY – for wisdom and confidence as she prepares to speak to her superior; for favour in everyone’s eyes at work; for Your will re: job in general
VICTORIA E – for the actual challenges at work and for her heart and mind as she navigates rough waters — You hold her please
TERESA (and all my sisters facing health concerns) — wisdom for the medical professionals, peace and trust to accept Your will
For all my sisters experiencing marital, housing and parenting challenges…Lord I entrust them to You.
Kristine- While it’s true that God told His people to settle in to the land, He never tells them to intermarry. His law was always that the Israelites would be set apart. In their homeland or place of captivity, His commandments did not change. I hope this helps. I can look for exact scriptures later today.
I think pride is one of the sneakiest sins. At least for me it is. When I ask God to examine my heart, it’s always something to do with my prideful nature. But God is so patient with me.
Hi Kristine – I believe you’re referring to that passage in Jeremiah 29, where God tells the exiled Israelites to build houses, marry & have children, etc.? I used to think that meant that they were to inter-marry as well, which was confusing. But then one of my pastors pointed out that was not the case, and the notes in my study Bible concur. God wanted them to “find wives” but only among the exiles themselves, not among the Babylonian women. Hope that helps!
Confession does bring so much freedom, but it’s often a painful and humiliating process to get there. I shy away from it more than I should. I have experienced the blessings that come from it, yet still the temporary discomfort and my own pride can be enough to prevent me from going forward when I should.
VICTORIA E- praying for your work situation. That all will be resolved soon!
RHONDA- praying you made it home safely
TERESA DONLEY- praying for these new tests and answers
I love this chapter today because is following a study I’m doing through my church about prayer, and how praying as a corporate body for those within our Church is important, yet rarely churches do it. It also goes into the power of confession and how sometimes we are afraid to ask others to pray for us in person because we are afraid of what they will think once they know our confession. Thankfully, we have a father who already knows everything, and while not easy to do, with confession comes a heavy weight lifted of our shoulders. May we continue to strive for a posture of prayer, and less of concern about others think.
I copied this from HRT: “But what is the sin? This is where it is easy for us to miss the main point about intermarriage. It is not an issue of nationality or ethnicity. It is about the holiness of God’s people. Ezra is horrified that “the holy seed has become mixed with the surrounding peoples” committed to “detestable practices.” Not only that, the leaders of Israel—those who were to guide and shepherd the people—led them in this rebellion against God (vv.1–2). Israel was exiled because they refused to follow God’s commands and thus be set apart as a holy nation. And here they are, the moment they are restored, doing the same thing again.”
The fact that the leaders were the ones who led them into the rebellion speaks to our current culture. I get very discouraged sometimes with the sin that our church leaders so easily accept and affirm and wonder sometimes just how they even can profess to know Christ and His Word by doing this. I John 1:6 addresses this: If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.
There is no darkness in Jesus. So thankful for this truth. Lord, help me to distinguish light from darkness by following You with my whole heart.
Father Your gift of Grace and Your Mercy are overwhelming to me. Thank you for the Saving Blood of Jesus Christ! Aimen
❤️
Can someone shed some light? When the Israelites are first sent into captivity in Babylon for 70 years, God tells them basically to set up shop. Work for the welfare of their new home, intermarry with the people, settle in, right? Once they are granted freedom to leave and rebuild the temple and get their lands back…is that when the order to “be a people set apart” goes back into effect? The rule follower in me just wants to make sure that the people knew the rules!
Maybe it’s more an issue of the heart. Their hearts were supposed to be dialed into God’s heart. So anything, anyone leading them away from that true north was a sin. So whatever other cultures had seeped into their midst must have brought with them ideas that were pulling them away from God. Especially heartbreaking now that they’ve just gotten their home back, rebuilt the temple, seem ready for their fresh start.
*Sarah D [sorry,fat fingers. :-(]
Ezra had devoted himself to the study of the Law and knew very well that the Jews who had married people outside of God’s covenant people were being pulled into the same sin that resaulted in the exile. Like Daniel, his ownership of the sin and his confession showed his understanding of the covenant God made with Israel. See Deut. 30.
VICTORIA E – praying your husband is right!
CEE GEE – yea!
KATIE K – praying the Lord will bring Godly influencers into his life.
KRISTEN – how did the TV segment go?
AG – speaking shalom over you today
TERESA DONLEY – praying the new tests will give your doctor a better understanding of what is going on. Asking the Lord for mercy and healing.
MERCY – prayers for wisdom with your job and discussion with your manager.
S A RA D, HEIDI, ERB ❤️
Praying for each other is a great thing to do. We also need to confess our sins to God our father