The Right Way
There is a right way and a wrong way to do anything. The right way is God's way. The wrong way is our way. I know that sounds simplistic, but it isn't in this day of everything being relative and no one believing there is absolute truth. Ezra knew this truth, so he led the people returning with him to Jerusalem to seek the right way for them.(Ezra 8:21) It is a great lesson for us, as well.
Ezra was serious about finding the right way in everything, so he proclaimed a fast. Fasting shows the Lord how serious we are about finding His will, and it gives us time to focus on Him. God loves to direct us when we fast a meal or a week. In the process we humble ourselves to admit that we need to hear from God and to know His way. Humility is essential. If we are proud, we think our way is best. Finally, there is a right way for us to relate to our spouse, our children, and our possessions. Yes, we can't just do what feels good or what we think is best. We need to seek from Him what is right.
How much time have you spent doing these things? It is not just having a heart to do God's will. We must stop, listen, and obey. When was the last time you fasted and humbled yourself before God? Hopefully, it was not just when you had a problem. Then, do you know you are doing the right thing toward your spouse and your children? Do you know you have the mind of God about how to handle your possessions? If the answer is no to any of those questions, a time of fasting, humility, and prayer is in order.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 1.
Ezra was serious about finding the right way in everything, so he proclaimed a fast. Fasting shows the Lord how serious we are about finding His will, and it gives us time to focus on Him. God loves to direct us when we fast a meal or a week. In the process we humble ourselves to admit that we need to hear from God and to know His way. Humility is essential. If we are proud, we think our way is best. Finally, there is a right way for us to relate to our spouse, our children, and our possessions. Yes, we can't just do what feels good or what we think is best. We need to seek from Him what is right.
How much time have you spent doing these things? It is not just having a heart to do God's will. We must stop, listen, and obey. When was the last time you fasted and humbled yourself before God? Hopefully, it was not just when you had a problem. Then, do you know you are doing the right thing toward your spouse and your children? Do you know you have the mind of God about how to handle your possessions? If the answer is no to any of those questions, a time of fasting, humility, and prayer is in order.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 1.