SOAP Ezra 10: This Bites

This Bites

Ezra 10

Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly. And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this. Now therefore, let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and those who have been born to them, according to the advice of my master and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I often think God will nod His head or wave His hand and all will be made well. Quite honestly, I have experienced His miraculous power that way- when I first gave my life to the Lord I was pretty stuck. Stuck in an awful and abusive relationship.  Stuck in addiction. Stuck in so many sin patterns.

What was so hard for me to get out of before, was now done with ease. God removed me from the relationship I had tried so hard to get free from for years. He broke addiction. He didn’t wave and set me free. He died to set me free.

For some time it led me to believe all of His work looked the same, and came without effort on my part. But that isn’t true. What I find more often the case, is when I make a mess God asks me to fix it- or do what I should’ve done to begin with. And let’s be real, it bites. Sin bites back. And this is the result.

Disobedience leads to messes, period. I don’t know why I think my way is better. I have learned so many times that it’s not. And though God’s way may seem harder, it is always the better, and obedience doesn’t require messy clean up.

Let’s just say you messed up like I have (too many times to count), the most beautiful and amazing thing you can do is repent. Repentance is actually such a powerful and wonderful gift. Being sorry

is not dirty or repulsive, it is in our humility that God draws near. Perhaps, you’ve apologized to friends or family in the past and it wasn’t received well- that’s not God’s way.

Yes, you might have to clean it up. It might hurt. It might be ugly in many ways, but making it right and doing it obediently will free you from the heaviness and guilt you bear. Trust me I know it all too well. Here I am on the other side reassuring you as I know these in this passage would too.

Repentance is changing direction, it’s altering the course for your life. It’s dying to your own desires and pursuing Christ.

Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance?

‭‭Romans‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

PRAYER: Thank you God for your kindness that leads us to repentance. Thank you Father that sometimes you leave the messes for us to deal with. I know through those challenges with a heart set on obedience- that You are honored and glorified. Not only are You glorified but our faith grows as does our character. Thank you for not leaving us the way You found us. Give us courage in the midst of whatever challenge we find ourselves to be obedient to what you are calling us to. In Jesus’s name, amen.