Ezra chapter 7: verses 21-28 (NIV)
“Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you— up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred cors of wheat, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred baths of olive oil, and salt without limit. Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons? You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God. And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them. Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.” Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honour to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favour to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.
Following on from yesterday’s verses, we read here an extract of what the king of Assyria had written to Ezra about the decree he had made. Here indeed is proof of the change that God had made in the king’s heart. He even commissioned Ezra in his calling as a teacher of God’s law. Ezra recognised God’s hand in it all, in that it was more than just fancy words. The change was genuine and went above and beyond what he could even have imagined. It made such an impact on Ezra that it gave him courage and strength to do all of the things God had called him to do.
We see that when God moves in someone’s heart and changes their life, it doesn’t just impact their own life, but others round about them too. We don’t live in isolation, God wants us to make an impact on the lives of others, and sometimes we make the greatest impact by letting God change us – and if we do, people sit up and take notice.
Dear LORD,
Thank You that we receive encouragement and strength, not only when You move in our own lives, but when we see Your hand at work in others. It reminds us that nothing is too difficult for You. You are indeed great and mighty. Amen.