Have you had your JOY JUICE today? Let’s thank the Lord that He is always
preparing special servings for each of us.
In the book
of Ezra we read about how, after 70 years in exile, the captives from Judah were allowed
to return to their homeland. Nearly 50,000 people made this journey.
Ezra 8:22
documents their faith. They told the
king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone
who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” They trusted God; and they knew that
it was imperative to prepare before they even started their journey.
Do
we ever move ahead on a project or a decision without prayerful
preparation? I’m afraid many times we
do. And when we do, more often than not,
our plans fail. We need to take a lesson
from the example of Ezra and his people.
"They knew God’s promises to
protect them, but they didn’t take that for granted. They humbled themselves by
fasting and praying. And their prayers were answered.
Too often we pray glibly and
superficially. Serious prayer requires
concentration. It puts us in touch with
God’s will and can really change us. Without
serious prayer, we reduce God to a quick-service pharmacist with painkillers
for our every ailment." (NIV Life
Application Study Bible notes)
“The
gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him….” Do we truly
desire His gracious hand in our lives?
May we keep our eyes on Him and joyfully prepare for each new day by
seeking His presence through prayer.
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