Honouring God

Honouring God

Meditation from Ezra Chapter 2

This chapter lists the names of the leaders & people who returned to Jerusalem. We can learn the characters of honouring God through this chapter.

1. Obeying Leaders : The list starts with the names of the leaders who led the people to return to Jerusalem; the top leaders & the sub leaders. By mentioning their names the Lord shows his approval. (2:2)
The majority didn't listen to them & their names are missed. Their choice to stay back is logically justifiable as they were comfortable, yet by disobeying the leaders they were dishonouring God's plan.
We honour God by obeying our leaders.

2. Godly Influence : Common people, priests (2:36), levites (2:40), singers (2:41), gatekeepers (2:42), temple servants (2:43) & Solomon's servants (2:55) are mentioned.
It shows the influence across different kinds of people and across generations.
Negative & destructive influences spread fast. We need to be careful what influence we are making by our words, choices & life.
We honour God only when our influence on others is godly.

3. Eternal Things : A group of priests could not find their entries in the genealogical records; which meant losing their priesthood and provisions. (2:61-63).
Yet they chose to return to Jerusalem. It shows the desire they had for the house of God.
We honour God when our mind is on the godly & eternal things & not on earthly possessions.

4. Freewill Offerings : As soon as they returned to the house of the LORD, some of the people made freewill offerings. (2:68)
We honour God when we give our resources to Him and His kingdom works, wholeheartedly.

May the Lord help us to honour Him by obeying our leaders, by influencing others only by godly ways, by seeking the eternal & not earthly things and by serving the Lord wholeheartedly by giving us & our resources.

Today's Intercession:

# Pray for the school admission process for the upcoming academic year.

# Pray that the Lord ordained children may come and get the admission.

# Pray for the setting up of the new school building and for all the arrangements.

# Pray for all the needed resources for the next academic year - staff, teachers, vehicles, furnitures, etc.

# Pray for the plans of God to be fulfilled and for His name to be glorified.

Have a blessed day!