Day 256: Ezra

3 John; Ezra 7-8; Psalm 94

In ministry it is so easy to let our opinions of others' purposes cause us to not support them. Each person has been given a different role in the kingdom of God and sometimes it may be something that we personally don't understand. This letter written by John reveals that this person named Gaius is doing the right thing by showing love and welcoming follows. This other dude, Diotrephes, is gossiping and not welcoming fellow believers and according to John, this is very wrong. While they may be different, we don't understand how it's going to work, or it doesn't seem logical, we need to love on and support fellow believers who are living and loving for the kingdom.

Ezra "had spent his life studying and obeying the Law of The Lord and teaching it to others." Ezra was a man of God and a great leader because he was devoted to God, not just his spare time, but his whole life. God is able to do great things through him because he was obedient. As mentioned before, this book records how God takes care of his people. First, God, through powerful kings, is giving the Israelites everything they need--permission and treasures. They have the blessing of the most powerful rulers to go and worship. Secondly, God gives them protection. Ezra mentions that he was tempted to ask the king for an army to protect them along the way, as this must have been a dangerous trip. But he doesn't succumb to his fears of humans and trusts The Lord. His faith pays off because God proves himself as their protector and they have a safe trip. God wants to be involved in our lives; he wants to help and protect us from hard; we open the door for him to work through being devoted to him and obedient, like Ezra.

This psalm seems completely relevant to how I feel about the world sometimes. How is it that wicked and deceitful people prosper? Why doesn't God do something? It can be so frustrating to watch the poor and innocent be abused and no one is there to help. This psalm talks about how useless our plans are and how good our God is, even in the midst of pain and frustration. God gives all things, he blesses and instructs, he keeps us steady and gives comfort, he is our safety and our security. Despite the craziness and evil of the world around us, despite how alone and hopeless we can feel watching and trying to help the victims, God is still there ruling and teaching and sheltering. The psalmist says it beautifully: "When I felt my feet slipping, you came with your love and kept me steady. And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure. But you are opposed to dishonest lawmakers who gang up to murder innocent victims. You, Lord God, are my fortress, that mighty rock where I am safe."