SUMMARY: Bad leaders
OVERVIEW: The leaders and officials set poor examples, leading others toward unfaithfulness. Ezra is appalled and cries out to God in prayer.
BIG IDEA: Lead by example by confessing your sin to God and turning away from it.
KEY VERSE: Ezra 9:6 (Ezra’s prayer)
I prayed, “O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens.”
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
I am unchanging. My grace is available to you. I long to show you mercy and kindness so that you may live and be healthy and enjoy all I have provided. I want you to eat the fruit of the land and leave an inheritance and godly legacy to your children and family. But when you pursue evil or choose to feed your flesh rather than your soul, you prove you do not want what I offer.
Choose a different way. If you sin, turn from it. If others sin around you, ignore their offers. Recognize you are flesh and blood and cry out to me for help and strength to live another way. Let my word be your guide. May it strengthen your soul and empower you to live for me. Bow before me and let me lift your head. Let me show you the way to go and the way to live.
NEXT STEP
Identify an area in your life or the world that angers you. Cry out to God for help and direction. Listen to how he may want you to respond.
MUSIC VIDEO