In what ways can we prioritize God's instructions in our daily lives like Ezra? Taking Ezra 7:17 to Heart “Therefore you are to buy diligently with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 7:17) Why this matters This verse shows Ezra receiving resources and immediately channeling them into precise obedience. He makes no detours, no personal agenda—he uses every coin to fulfill the Lord’s stated will. That same single-minded priority can shape our ordinary routines. Turning Priority into Practice • Start each day asking, “What has God already said?” not “What do I feel like?” (Psalm 119:105) • Write down one clear command or principle from your daily reading and plan a concrete action before the day ends. • Evaluate new opportunities by asking, “Does this directly advance obedience, distract from it, or oppose it?” (Matthew 6:33). Grounding Ourselves in Scripture • Schedule non-negotiable time for the Word, as Ezra “set his heart to study the Law of the LORD” (Ezra 7:10). • Memorize key verses that speak to your current season—fuel for quick decisions (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). • Keep a running list titled “God’s explicit instructions” in a journal or note app; review it weekly. Acting Promptly on What We Learn • Move from study to action the same day—James 1:22 warns against delay. • Treat tangible resources (money, talents, time) like the silver in Ezra 7:17: earmarked for worship and service, not personal indulgence. • Set alarms or calendar reminders for obedience tasks (calls of encouragement, giving, serving). Investing Our Resources in Worship • Budget giving first; let generosity shape the rest of the spreadsheet (Proverbs 3:9-10). • View your home, car, and schedule as “altars” for hospitality, discipleship, and praise. • Regularly inventory possessions: if an item no longer serves godly purposes, release it. Teaching and Sharing as Reinforcement • Ezra didn’t keep God’s Word to himself—he “taught its statutes and ordinances” (Ezra 7:10). • Share one takeaway with family or friends daily; speaking truth cements it in your own heart. • Serve in a local ministry where you can pass on biblical truth; accountability sharpens obedience (2 Timothy 2:2). Guarding Heart and Schedule • Prune distractions: social media limits, entertainment fasts, clear bedtime—whatever protects time with the Lord (Ephesians 5:15-16). • Surround yourself with companions who prize obedience (Proverbs 13:20). • Review each evening: Where did I obey? Where did I stall? Pray for course corrections. Trusting God with the Outcomes • As with Ezra, divine favor follows practical obedience: “The hand of the LORD my God was on me” (Ezra 7:28). • Rest in God’s promise that obedience is never wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58). • Expect Him to provide whatever is needed to keep following His instructions—exactly as He supplied the silver and gold for Ezra. Prioritizing God’s instructions, like Ezra, means settling the question of allegiance once—then confirming that choice in a thousand small, prompt, Scripture-shaped decisions every single day. |
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