A Prepared Heart -- October 7, 2009

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezra 7:10

Here is the key to Ezra’s success. Earlier in the chapter Ezra is described as a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses that the Lord had given his people. Ezra knew the Law, but he wasn’t just studying it like a text book so he could pass an exam or be knowledgeable in front of people. Ezra was studying the Law from his heart. He had primed himself from deep inside to not only find out what the Law said but to obey it and teach it to God’s people.

I am not a skilled scribe like Ezra. I study the word for the same purpose – to have it change my heart, my behaviors as well as how I share them with others. Ezra changed the face of his nation by teaching them how to live God’s blessed Law. He did by living it out and teaching them. He did not neglect his own accountability, nor did he neglect to express his faith with those around him.

Jesus, lead me in Your Ways. Let my life be lived in Your Law of the Spirit. Let my words share Your Word with them. I position my heart to be under Your direction. Let me be a light to Your people.

Preparing My Heart,

Pastor Jason