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Daily Devotion: Ezra 7:27-28

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Ezra 7:27-28    "Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:  (28)  And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me."

The occasion was given for the letter written by the king to be read in support of the work being done.  Artaxerxes, king of Persia, had written a decree to allow the people to return to Jerusalem for the purpose of rebuilding the temple.  The wisdom of God had moved the heart of the king to put in writing that decree which provided all which was needed by the people. It would be difficult for the people to move the physical materials that would be needed; therefore, he decreed for "all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon" (Ezra 7:17) to be taken to purchase the materials upon their arrival.  Also he decreed that for "any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them." (Ezra 7:24)

 "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."  (Proverbs 21:1)    As we read the things mentioned that were commanded by the king, we can see truly the work of the Lord in turning the heart of Artaxerxes to make provision. He even declared that Ezra would have the authority to set magistrates and judges in the land to enforce the law of God. Verses 27 and 28 of our text show Ezra's response to the letter written by the king.  He gave all glory unto the Lord for moving this decree to be written, understanding there was no changing the decree once it was made by the king. God truly showed His goodness, mercy, grace, and power in making these provisions through the king.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  (21)  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)  We serve the very same God Who made provision for His people in the days of Ezra.  We sometimes are prone to discouragement as we see our country sinking into the place we find it today But the truth remains that our God is able to move the hearts and minds of those in authority. Could it be time for Christians to sincerely fall upon our knees to seek the face and grace of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ? He truly is the KING of all kings and the LORD of all lords.

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