During their forty-year journey from Egypt to Canaan, the people of Israel watched God express His love through acts of service on numerous occasions, including parting the Red Sea and providing food and water in the wilderness. Unlike Baal and the pagan gods of their neighbors, who never responded to the prayers and sacrifices of those who called on them, Israel’s God revealed His love by acts of service in response to the prayers of His people. Enemies were routed, plagues were averted, droughts were ended, and diseases were healed when the people of Israel called on God. The Jewish nation was so profoundly affected by God’s love through acts of service that the people often depicted their history by reciting the mighty acts of God on behalf of Israel.
One of their most profound commemorations is Passover. It’s fitting, then, that the events of Ezra 6:19-22 occurred during Passover. God saw His people’s needs and acted by changing the king’s heart. The king not only allowed them to begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, but he also gave them the materials they needed.
God’s past acts of service should give us comfort and hope today. If we will pray to Him, He will respond with acts of love. God knows how to take care of His own.
Take time to pray and thank God for the acts of service He has shown us. Ask Him to help you trust in His continued acts of love, especially in circumstances that are causing you stress or concern right now.
Reflect on these questions:
Name three acts of service God has performed on your behalf - or on behalf of your family.
How often do you commemorate God's acts of service? Do you think it's often enough?
How can you help your children fully appreciate God's acts of service?
Consider these passages for further study of God's love.
Psalm 86:15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ezra 6:19-22 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover. 20 The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were all ceremonially clean. The Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their relatives the priests, and for themselves. 21 So the Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors to seek the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.
Great direction by Gary Chapman. A way to focus on your servant attitude and think about ways you can serve the Lord and others.