Ezra was shocked to learn that the people living in Israel did not share his attitude toward worship. From the leaders on down they were unfaithful to the Lord. Specifically, they intermarried with the peoples around them-the ones the Lord had commanded them to be separate from. God had commanded that they be holy, for he made them holy, but by mingling with the neighboring people they were unfaithful to the Lord.

What could Ezra do? The first thing he did was pray on their behalf. He brought their unfaithfulness to God who is forever faithful. In the first part of his prayer Ezra confessed their sin before God. In the second part he confessed God's greatness-God who was their gracious protector who had never forsaken them but granted them new life. The people broke the commands of God. They deserved to be punished, for God is righteous. But Ezra prayed to this God. He saw that God had not destroyed them in anger. Ezra came as a remnant by God's righteousness. He sought God in prayer, in full dependence on his righteousness.


Application: Lord, we are sinners who can't stand in your presence. Teach us to pray like Ezra, trusting in your righteousness alone.
One Word: Seek God in prayer