Sat.’s Devo - Restoration of the Fallen

Read: Ezra 8:21-9:15, 1 Co. 5:1-13, Ps. 31:1-8, Pr. 21:1-2 As I read today’s reading in Ezra, two things hit me. The first was how Ezra refused to ask the king for protection. He went to God for it. How many kings got in trouble for this very thing. What a reminder to us as God’s people living in trying times to trust first in God to protect us instead of our government, our security systems, or our guns. The second thing that impressed me about Ezra is how he responded when he found out the leaders had participated in idolatry. He interceded and repented like he had done it. Ezra was a true leader. It reminds me of what our response should be when we learn one of our spiritual leaders has had an affair, or embezzled funds. Do we identify with him and repent for him or do we sit in judgement? Paul deals with this same issue. A man who claimed to be a believer is having an affair with his step mother. The law of Moses says this is an abomination to God. Apparently, this man is not repentant so Paul tells the people to make him leave their fellowship and leave it to God to judge him. God will do it in a way that it will kill his flesh and save his spirit. If they let him stay, his sin would influence others to break God’s laws. Ezra was dealing with the sins of many and Paul, the sin of one. Either way, God has a plan for judgement and restoration. His discipline is always to bring about restoration from a heart of love. Lord, give us love for our brothers that have fallen into sin. May You restore them back to fellowship with us and You.