May 7, 2026 - Ezra 7-10

The priest Ezra and his ministry provide a good reminder that God is very concerned about how we live our daily lives.  As the people returned from exile to their homes in Jerusalem and Judah, they must not go back to the ways of the previous generations, which resulted in harsh discipline.  And so, Zerubbabel leads them in beginning to rebuild the temple and the restoration of the sacrifices and the Passover.  Then Ezra returns, and seeing that the people have already fallen into sinful ways, he calls for repentance and holy living.  How quickly the people turned back to sin!  But how easily we can do that, also.  When I think of Israel, and when we think of ourselves, it is so clear that only by the grace of God, which preserves and keeps us, will we make it to heaven.  But that’s good, because God’s grace is certain and, thus, our hope is certain.

Steadily onward! O turn not aside,

Steadily, steadily on!

Upward and onward whatever betide,

Steadily, steadily on!

Jesus will help you to walk in His way,

Guiding your feet lest they wander astray,

Ever be ready to hear and obey—

Steadily, steadily on.   --Mrs. Frank A. Breck (1898)