August 9
Ezra 8:21-9:15 | PS 31:1-8 | Prov 21:1-2 | 1 Cor 5:1-13
When church events happen, numbers are often stated. How many came forward. How many made a profession of faith. How many were baptized. How many attended. I'm not really sure why this is done, for what do the numbers really mean. In any church, meeting ,etc. some will move under the influence of the Holy Spirit, while many others will simply be swept along. We read in Ezra 9:13-15, "Now we are being punished because of our wickedness and our great guilt. But we have actually been punished far less than we deserve, for you, our God, have allowed some of us to survive as a remnant...O Lord, God of Israel, you are just. We come before you in our guilt as nothing but an escaped remnant, though in such a condition none of us can stand in your presence.” Many left with Zerubbabel, many came many years later with Ezra. Though only some were part of "the remnant". Throughout history, God has always had a remnant, not a majority. This is not a club that you join. This is nothing that you can wear a badge to reveal, as the remnant might include leaders and might not, it might include those below the radar and it might not.
We read Ezra's prayer just before embarking on his dangerous journey in Ezra 8:21-23, "And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.” So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer." Ezra didn't just pray in order to add on to all of his own plans. He trusted God. He relied on God completely. We read in Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." We read in John 8:31-32, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Being part of the remnant is not about what you did, but about what you do. Most of those who left with Zerubbabel and with Ezra did act in obedience, only to fall away from God. We read in Proverbs 21:2, "People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart." Many like to point to they or their loved ones membership in the club of "believers" based on following certain procedures: the sacraments, being adult baptized, church attendance, tithing, etc. God does not need any of these things. He desires our heart. Our heart cannot be placed on events or a date here or there, it is a continuous, daily process in which we choose to trust in Him, depend upon Him, relate to Him, be with Him. This is a dependent relationship in which we place our dependence upon Him. We need to be steadfast in the entirety of His Word, without shortcuts. The remnant must desire this, not be forced into this out of guilt or obligation. We need to knit our hearts into His. We need to align our will into His. We thank You, God, for Your patience with us, and we thank You for Your continued grace and mercy that You so lovingly pour out upon us. Please give us eyes to see and ears to hear, and a heart that burns with the desire to fix ourselves upon You continuously.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: