The God Who Leads
(Rev Lilian Ang, Pastor for Mandarin Ministry)
READ:
Ezra 1 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The book of Ezra opens with fulfilled prophecy – a proclamation by Cyrus, the king of Persia, stating that the Jewish people in his kingdom could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of the Lord. This king’s edict fulfilled the predictions that the prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah had made hundreds of years earlier.
Reading Ezra 1 with Jeremiah 29:10-14 gives me a sense of the God of history, the God who leads His people:
- God’s timescale,
- God’s conditions so that people will enter into the good of his plans and
- the One who causes the people to want to meet these conditions (Ezra 1:5).
Notice that God’s people did not return empty-handed to the Promised Land (Ezra 1:4; 6). God used many means of providing for his work – including the gifts made by his own people.
APPLY:
We greet the new year with much anticipated hope and blessings. We thank the Lord for the year just past, for the way He has led us through 2021.
As I enter the new year, how can I know the Lord’s leading for me? I see three indications from Ezra 1:
- God does what He promises. God said through Jeremiah that Israel would return to Jerusalem. Isaiah specifically prophesied that Cyrus would be instrumental in allowing their return. And just as God promised, it happened. What has God promised me?
- “The Lord stirred up the spirit” of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1) and “moved the spirits” of the people (Ezra 1:5) to return. When God wants something to happen, He makes Himself known. What is the Holy Spirit saying to me?
- The people began packing. The king, as well as their neighbours, began to “encourage” them with gifts (Ezra 1:5-11). It is amazing how God works. When I intentionally follow His plan, He not only directs my path, but also gives me more than I asked for. What unexpected gifts has God surprised me with lately?
We serve a great God who fulfills His promises, moves us forward, and rewards us abundantly as we serve Him.
It is interesting to note that Cyrus didn’t command the people to go; he granted them permission to return to Jerusalem, to the city of the King. It was an offer, an invitation, and they had a choice to make.
DO:
God extends very much the same invitation to me, inviting me every day to return to Him and to walk with Him. I will intentionally take the next step to let God lead me, walking in step with Him every day, all the way.
PRAY:
Father, we thank You for your invitation to walk with You. As we begin the new year, help us to take the next step towards intentional discipleship. Though sometimes the journey may be difficult, just as the journey and task ahead of the Israelites was not an easy one, may we not give up nor despair for You have promised that whatever You call us to, You will help us accomplish. We pray this in the Name of the One who leads, Jesus our Lord. Amen.
