by Duane Cook

In Ezra 3, we see the remnant coming together as a community. They do so in fear of those living around them. They are in danger and yet they are persistent in the restoration project. They resume sacrifices through rebuilding of the altar even when the temple itself has yet to be fully restored.

The judgment on them had been well deserved; they had taken their medicine and were ready to return to God. Not in the full restoration of their previous glory which had been forfeit, but still under the protection and mercy of the Lord. Sin has consequences. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever" (Ezra 3: 11). None of our acts are beyond the redemption of God. There is nothing we can do that God hasn’t seen before and can’t forgive. We may not believe that, but it is true. Not because we deserve it, but because of who He is.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39). Need forgiveness?

A fellow traveler,
Duane