Daily Reading: Ezra 9
For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem. (Ezra 9.9)
Devotional Thought: As I was contemplating this verse, I received the following text from my friend Mark:
"You're not going to believe this. I can hardly believe it myself, but a few weeks ago, my blood sugar bottomed out. It was dangerously low for about 4 days. Nothing I did would raise it over 70. Marge called the doc, who was puzzled too. He said to stop taking my metformin. I did and levels returned to normal. It has been weeks now and it appears my diabetes is gone! I did lose a few more pounds which might have helped, but I'm giving my praise up to God... God is so good to me that I know I could never repay Him."
As I said, it came while I was thinking about Ezra's words. When I asked Mark if he minded if I shared this testimony, he wrote,
"Not at all. I'm going to tell everyone. Life can be so amazing when you're on the right path."
Mark's life has not been easy. From childhood he has had hardships, health problems, and heartaches. He would testify that he himself was "in slavery" like Ezra. But also like Ezra, he praises God that he did not forsake him in his slavery.
God used Ezra for the purposes of reviving hope and repairing holiness. Mark, too, was saved to become a vehicle of revival and repair, of protection and salvation. And you - even if you are enslaved - remember that God extends his steadfast love to you! No matter how low you get, never give up. God has promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13.5) Amen!
Prayer: "Once I was bound by sin's galling fetters, chained like a slave I struggled in vain. But I received a glorious freedom when Jesus broke my fetters in twain." Thank you, Jesus, for breaking my chains and setting me free!
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 97:8-12
8 Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, LORD.
9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
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