Don't Give Up

He's at work, even in exile seasons

“This Ezra came up from Babylon.

He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given.

The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.

Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬, ‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Ezra. He was one of God’s people taken into exile and captivity in Babylon.

Though his exact age is unknown, he was not likely old enough to have any memories of living in Jerusalem — or he may have only ever lived in exile.

But he was one of the leaders to go to Jerusalem for rebuilding.

This Ezra the passage says, as it outlines 16 generations before him.

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You see, God has a plan for every one of us — in every generation, he is at work.

And we see that in his lifetime, living in exile, he was both a student and a teacher of the Word.

There was no temple in Babylon. This Ezra had been living in a culture that did not worship God.

But yet…

…Ezra studied and taught the Law of Moses.

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In Times of “exile,” as we’re waiting and experiencing barrenness — we do well to mimic Ezra and hide ourselves in Scripture.

To study it regularly and deeply.

To know God more deeply by drawing near to him through his Word and prayer.

Why? Why should we lean in to God and discipline ourselves in rhythms of intimacy when he may feel far from us — when prayers have not yet been answered.

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Here’s why.

Because God shows up even in these seasons we don’t sense him.

He’s always at work.

He may use people around us to pour favor or blessing or provision upon us, fueling us to keep us going. We may not connect those dots as actually being God’s intersection in our lives.

Just as King Artexerxes gave gold and silver and protection to Ezra for the journey and work in Jerusalem. That was God’s provision — God’s favor.

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We can and should take courage in our “empty” or hard seasons…. In our long journeys back… in our waiting….

Based solely on this truth —

God’s hand is on his children — it’s on us.

He holds us firmly in his righteous right hand.

And nothing can separate us from the love of God.

He is acting on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isaiah 64:4)

Pray for eyes to see it and a heart to keep seeking, in exile or in the steps toward rebuilding.