SUMMARY: Ezra arrives
OVERVIEW: King Artaxerxes gives Ezra the priest his blessing to return to Jerusalem, and he provides finances for the temple offerings.
BIG IDEA: Where God guides, God provides.
KEY VERSE: Ezra 7:27–28 (Ezra celebrates God’s goodness)
Praise the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who made the king want to beautify the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem! And praise him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem.
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
Be a student of my word. Have an appetite for learning and putting it into practice. Show others what a Jesus follower looks like, and then teach others to do the same. I want you to be a disciple-maker, to equip the church to be my hands and feet worldwide. I will provide opportunities for you and others to take my word to remote places and your next-door neighbor. Be ready for all possibilities.
I will extend favor to you to do all I’ve asked of you before those who are positive and those who are sometimes hostile. Step out and follow me as I lead. Gather others along the way. Let your journey—be it near or far—be filled with praise. Set aside times to worship together, but be a person of prayer and study. Learn to feed your soul and teach others to feed themselves as well.
NEXT STEP
Is there a mission you want to go on or a ministry you want to support? Ask God for wisdom and then take the next step to learn all you need to know or to begin.
MUSIC VIDEO