Fri.’s Devo - God’s Favor

Read: Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30 Years later, a man named Ezra came on the scene. He was the 17th in the line of Aaron and he lived in Babylon. He was a scribe who knew the law of Moses well. King Artaxerxes gave him much favor and financed his trip to Jerusalem as well as anyone who wanted to go with him. He gave him permission to take all the gold and silver he had and that the people gave him. He donated all types of animals and offerings to be offered in the Temple. He also gave the cups they had taken from Jerusalem years ago to be restored to the Temple. He donated silver, wheat, wine, oil and salt. He ordered that they have free passage throughout the land. *** King Artaxerxes gave Ezra permission to appoint magistrates and judges who knew God’s laws so they could govern the people. Those who didn’t obey the law would face death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment. *** Ezra blessed the king for his generosity and honor of God and for blessing them in their endeavors. *** Those who volunteered to go with him were 1,544, though none of them were Levites. Ezra called a meeting of all the leaders and especially the leader of the Levites too ask them to send those who could minister in the Temple. They sent Sherebiah and 18 of his relatives and a descendant of Merari and 20 of his relatives as well as 220 Temple servants who had served the first Temple. *** In Corinthians, Paul wrote that he and Apollos were servants of God who were given the ministry of explaining the mysteries of God. Their master was God and he was the one who would judge them, not man. He warned them of judging anyone here on earth. God will be the judge everyone’s hearts when we all get to heaven and will reward the faithful. *** Paul and the apostles were the groundbreakers who plowed the ground for the others. They were the ones who faced the angry opposition and ridicule while those who went behind them enjoyed all the benefits. Paul urged them to use him as their example to imitate and not the ones who only taught things that were safe and politically polite. *** Apparently there were teachers who talked a big talk but had no power to back it up. Paul promised to come and see for himself who was actually living what they preached. *** Lord, may what we say be what we live and may we see your power manifested in our lives.