“Turn To The LORD In Prayer!”

“Turn To The LORD In Prayer!”(Ezr.9:5-9&13-15ff).
It’s a new day. We thank God for grace and mercy. Ezra was among the prominent exiles who returned from the Babylonian captivity and were building a new temple to the LORD.
Not long afterwards it was noted that some of the people, including priests and some Levites committing the sin of married women from pagan neighbouring countries..
Word of this reached Ezra and he was stunned .
However, he turned to the LORD in prayer acknowledging the sinfulness of the people. Ezra prayed that he was too ashamed and disgraced even to lift up his face to the LORD.
Indeed, sin can weigh down on us until we may not know how to face the LORD. But we are confident of his compassion.
Just like Ezra prayed, God punishes us less than we deserve. That is why we have seen the light of a new day. We are the remnants whom the LORD has kept for himself.
The prayer of Ezra is an example that when we are on the side of error, we should own up to God and not justify our actions by projecting blame on to others. We are fallen creatures standing in need of God’s compassionate love.
Let us always turn to him in prayer for ourselves and make intercessions for others. Ezra may not have been part of the detestable practice, but he included himself in the wrongdoing as he prayed: “…O LORD, God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.”
Prayer without commensurate action is futile. When the people joined Ezra in praying for their sins, he ordered, “You have been unfaithful: you have married foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt. Now make confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the people around you and from your foreign wives.” The people consented.
Ezra set up a commission to investigate those who were involved in foreign marriages. Times have changed. The world has become a global village and God may not necessarily punish people for marrying foreign wives. But the issue was not so much about the foreign wives, the issue was being converted to the gods of foreign wives. A familiar biblical example is the bad influence Jezebel a foreign wife had on king Ahab.
Bottom line: Seperate yourself from any bad influence that dishonours God. Pray and ask God for forgiveness and take actions that glorifies the LORD.
Prayer of the week: Father Almighty, thank you for compassionate love in Jesus Christ your son our Lord. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.