The Election

Far from this last Tuesday’s elections being a “saving experience” for our nation, I think that Ezra says it best in the beginning of Ezra 9:8

“But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from Yahweh. . . “

The Meaning

By application, this is a message for the church! Regardless, let me say that more clearly, REGARDLESS of the side of the aisle you prefer, this is a wake-up call to the church! God is “giving us new life, so that we can rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins. . . ” (Ezra 9:9m)

But remember how this prayer from Ezra started. Look at verse 6

“My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward You. . . “

And here is my question to you, to myself, to all of us, REGARDLESS  of our party affiliation, are we willing, like Ezra, to honestly view our sins as he did? I would remind many of you that you have been praying 2 Chronicles 7:14 for our nation. But have you forgotten the main point of the verse? The main point IS NOT the healing of our land, it is the forgiveness of our sins!

Mixed or Interracial Marriages

And finally, there will be those who will want to ignore this passage because they wrongly apply the first two verses of this chapter. They will read it and WRONGLY assume that God is against mixed marriages. My friends, my bigoted friends, on both sides of the aisle, the meaning of these two verses is found in the center of verse 1:

“. . . whose detestable practices. . . “

The reason for the asking of forgiveness was NOT because of mixed marriages but because the people of God turned from God. If you still wonder about God’s view of mixed marriages just check out Jesus’ lineage.

My friends, hear the Word of our Lord, thru Ezra’s prayer:

“. . . You, our God, have punished us less than our sins deserve. . . . no one can stand in Your presence because of this [guilt]. See Ezra 9:13e and 15e.”

Blessings or Blessings?

I like to end my posts with a simple, “Blessings my friends” but may I end it a bit differently, in light of my message today?

Expect blessings my friends, but only as you come humbly before your God,

 

Mark S Mirza