Rise Up! Lessons From Ezra On Walking With Your Head Held HighSample

The Israelites were living in exile in Babylon. God called Ezra to return

to Jerusalem to instruct the people in His ways. As Ezra prepared for the journey, God was with him. Six times in just two chapters of the book of Ezra, the Bible notes that the hand of the Lord was on Ezra. Jehovah was certainly active in helping Ezra. 

God’s hand was on Ezra for favor, direction, encouragement, provision, protection and rescue. Everything was going Ezra’s way. After a safe, successful journey to Jerusalem, he runs into trouble. 

The Jewish leaders approached Ezra informing him that many of the people, including some of the priests, had disobeyed the Lord and intermarried with the people of the land. They had brazenly taken on the practices of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Egyptians, and others. 

When Ezra heard this, he tore his clothes, pulled the hair from his head, and sat down completely shocked. He finds himself beaten down, utterly discouraged, heartbroken, hurt, and disappointed. The people he was called to lead and to teach the Word of God decided to boldly disobey God’s command and simply do whatever they wanted instead. 

We, like Ezra, are going to encounter difficulties, hurts, and disappointments. We are going to have times in our lives when we feel beaten down and discouraged. But in the midst of our heartbreak, it doesn’t mean the Lord isn’t with us. 

Just because you’re discouraged doesn’t mean the hand of the Lord isn’t on you. 

Just because it feels like your work life has taken two steps backwards doesn’t mean the hand of the Lord isn’t on you. 

Just because you’re tired doesn’t mean the hand of the Lord isn’t on you. 

Just because a friend you love has moved out of town doesn’t mean the hand of the Lord isn’t on you. 

Just because you’re being gossiped about... Just because your marriage is hurting...

Just because you're lonely...

Just because your kids are rebelling... 

Just because people are standing in the way of your dreams... 

Just because your hard work isn’t yielding the results you hoped for doesn’t mean the hand of the Lord isn’t on you. 

The gracious hand of God can be on our lives, and we can still face difficulty.