In the Light of God's Mercy

Seeing that thou, our God, hast punished us less than our iniquities deserved, shall we break thy commandments again? (Ezra 9:13b, 14)

Ezra 9:7-15; Neh. 9:17-19, 31; Ps. 103:10-11; Titus 3:5

What Is God Saying?

Israel had been significantly punished. Verse 7 leaves no doubt about that- ‘Given into the hands of the kings of other lands to serve them, given to the sword, given to captivity, given to plunder, given to utter shame.’ Then, God made it possible for a remnant to rebuild His holy place in Jerusalem and re-establish the Jewish community. They realized that while suffering was great during captivity, it could have been worse, and Ezra says, ‘Our God has punished us less than our iniquities deserve.’

To Ezra, it is clear. Was that any way to treat God, who had been so merciful? Ezra thinks not and urges his people to do the difficult thing: keep His commandments that they have not received the mercy of God in vain.

How Does This Apply To Us?

There are other ways that we compromise our witness today, allowing our hearts to be divided in loyalty. Other relationships drain our enthusiasm for the things of our Lord. None of us, I think, would deny that we have received less than our sins deserve. When Ezra asks, ‘Shall we break thy commandments again?’ How do we answer that? Remembering the Psalmist, ‘God does not deal with us according to our sins nor requite us according to our iniquities’ (Ps. 103:10), is there any answer but one? ‘Having received less punishment than we deserve, we would henceforth, by your mercy, keep our feet from stumbling and our hearts from wandering.’

Pray With Me

Loving Father, You have punished us less than our sins deserve. The remembrance of Your longsuffering love humbles me. Like a father who hopes, even as his children make mistakes, You have been patient with me. I rejoice that Your anger is slow and Your mercy so abundant.

Lord, You gather me up with patient forgiveness and healing love when I wander away. You bear with me, though I often break Your commandments and seem determined to break myself. You turn me around, sometimes with the force of circumstance, sometimes with a friend's prayer, but always with love. Forgive me for presuming on Your fatherly love. You have not ‘dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.’ Fix this in my mind. Engrave it on the tablets of memory. Sink it deep into my heart.

Then, the memory that I have genuinely received less than my sins deserve will guard me from evil and guide me toward good. Help me to return more love, obedience, service, and thanksgiving than I ever thought was enough!

In the name of Him, whose grace is more than just enough. Amen.

Moving On in the Life of Prayer

Indeed, Ezra and Nehemiah (the great Restorers) were courageous, fearlessly honest, and impartial. Above all, they were men of prayer. They poured out their hearts before God on behalf of the people—no greater interceders in the Old Testament. Their prayers are marked with transparent sincerity and utter surrender to God. What they thought, they prayed. What they prayed, they lived. What they shared with God on their knees, they showed to people in their lives. Can you think of a better way to Move on in the Life of Prayer?