Acknowledge and Action
Ezra 10
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 11-12) "Now make confession to the Lord, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives.' The whole assembly responded with a loud voice: 'You are right! We must do as you say."
My Thoughts
How many times has it been that you know there is something that you must do or change, but you don't do it? I know I do that a lot with different things, but I try harder not to when it comes to a matter of right or wrong doing.
I understand it can be very hard to start doing certain things that you know need to be done. You've been meaning to go through your clothes to get rid of some stuff you don't wear anymore. That storage room is where all those family photo albums are and you just know it! Maybe your closet is starting to spill into your room. You feel overwhelmed by these things and they are quite daunting. Starting by doing a little bit at a time is a great way to start on it. Once you start, it will feel less overwhelming.
In matters of doing right or wrong or accounting for the wrongs, it is much more important, I feel. In other situations, it isn't unimportant, I just feel that right and wrong is more. If you know that you said something you shouldn't have to your friend the last time you spoke, but you decide not to apologize, you are in the wrong. You have hurt your friend and you choose not to make amends. How does that work?
What happened here in Ezra was that the Israelites had disobeyed God and intermingled with the nations around them. They had foreign wives, maybe husbands, and surely children by them. This was completely against what God had said. Ezra explained this to them and they responded saying, "You are right!" Not only did they acknowledge what had been done, but they also wanted to make it right and follow what Ezra was saying.
This is the kind of attitude we should all have about mistakes that we make. Once we have acknowledged our mistakes or our wrongs, our attitude should be one of wanting to make it right. The Israelites did just that, and they took action to do so. They were not only words, but they took action as well. This is what we need to do when we have done wrong. First acknowledge and confess, then plan to fix the mistakes or make amends amends and forgive yourself and ask God for forgiveness. Then, take action and actually do something to fix the mistake or make amends.
I understand it can be very hard to start doing certain things that you know need to be done. You've been meaning to go through your clothes to get rid of some stuff you don't wear anymore. That storage room is where all those family photo albums are and you just know it! Maybe your closet is starting to spill into your room. You feel overwhelmed by these things and they are quite daunting. Starting by doing a little bit at a time is a great way to start on it. Once you start, it will feel less overwhelming.
In matters of doing right or wrong or accounting for the wrongs, it is much more important, I feel. In other situations, it isn't unimportant, I just feel that right and wrong is more. If you know that you said something you shouldn't have to your friend the last time you spoke, but you decide not to apologize, you are in the wrong. You have hurt your friend and you choose not to make amends. How does that work?
What happened here in Ezra was that the Israelites had disobeyed God and intermingled with the nations around them. They had foreign wives, maybe husbands, and surely children by them. This was completely against what God had said. Ezra explained this to them and they responded saying, "You are right!" Not only did they acknowledge what had been done, but they also wanted to make it right and follow what Ezra was saying.
This is the kind of attitude we should all have about mistakes that we make. Once we have acknowledged our mistakes or our wrongs, our attitude should be one of wanting to make it right. The Israelites did just that, and they took action to do so. They were not only words, but they took action as well. This is what we need to do when we have done wrong. First acknowledge and confess, then plan to fix the mistakes or make amends amends and forgive yourself and ask God for forgiveness. Then, take action and actually do something to fix the mistake or make amends.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
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