READING: Ezra 9-10, Nehemiah 1-2
Ezra’s prayer of confession in today’s reading is almost agonizing. You can just sense the anguish of the leader as he admitted the sins of the people. More than once the text says Ezra sat devastated in his pain and confession.
At the same time, the glimpses of the Lord’s mercy are powerful:
- “for a brief moment, grace has come from the Lord our God to preserve a remnant for us and give us a stake in his holy place” (Ezra 9:8)
- “Even in our slavery, God has given us a little relief and light to our eyes.” (Ezra 9:8)
- “God has not abandoned us in our slavery.” (Ezra 9:9)
- “He has extended grace to us in the presence of the Persian kings, giving us relief” (Ezra 9:9)
- “you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have allowed us to survive” (Ezra 9:13)
Grace. That word describes our God. Follow Him fully as He offers mercy this day.
Amen.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How much does grace matter to you today?
DAILY PRAYER: “Thank You, God, for Your moments of grace to us.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Nehemiah 3-6