Ezra Chapter 10 – Verses 1-4 (NIV)
While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly. Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”
It is right when we have done wrong to come before God, to confess our sins and to put things right, as Ezra and the people gathered with him were doing. But, having done that, Shekaniah told Ezra to get up and do what God had commanded them to. He encouraged Ezra by telling him the matter was in his hands and that he should take courage and do as God said.
We need to learn a lesson from that. We need to put things right with God and not wallow in our mistakes or feel sorry for ourselves. We have the Holy Spirit to encourage and support us so we need to do as Shekaniah told Ezra, take courage and do as God wants us to.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful for the grace and forgiveness that is available to me when I come before You with a repentant heart. Help me then to get up and do the things You have asked of me. I pray in Jesus’ Name.
Amen.