31 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Outside Looking In" Ezra 10:13-15

31 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Outside Looking In" Ezra 10:13-15

Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, As you have said, so must we do.
13But the people are many and it is a time of heavy rain; we cannot stand outside. Nor can this work be done in a day or two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter. 14Let our officials stand for the whole assembly; let all in our cities who have foreign wives come by appointment, and with each group the elders of that city and its judges, until the fierce wrath of our God over this matter is turned away from us. 15Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them. (Ezra 10:13-15)

The other day I was planning to a Chinese restaurant here in Elizabeth City for lunch. When I pulled in the parking lot, there were no cars in the lot at all. The "Open" sign was in the window, but when I went to pull open the door, I found it locked. I stood outside the door and peered through the glass to see if there were customers inside. All I could see were empty tables. The proprietors were not there, either. Mildly disappointed, my friend and I elected to go somewhere else to eat that day.

Have you ever been on the "outside looking in?" Few people enjoy being excluded. Its a feeling of exclusion-that a barrier has been placed between where you are and where you want to be. Some people feel excluded because of the color of their skin or their economic background. Others feel excluded because they are considered an "outsider" as they were not born and raised in the community where they live. Some feel excluded because they did not have educational opportunities. However the exclusion happens, whether real or perceived, it is always sad and brings with it a feeling of rejection and isolation.

Ezra sensed that he and his people were on the outside looking in as well. Though they may not have done this intentionally, the Jews had broken their covenant with God by marrying foreign or pagan women. They now understood that because so many of the Jews had done this, it threatened to have the blessing of God removed from their venture. Ezra called them into a solemn assembly, and together they resolved to take care of this situation even though it was so widely pervasive. Only two opposed them (there will be always those in opposition, but this should not keep us from doing the will of God). Ezra acted decisively, and managed to quickly lead his people from being on the outside looking in, to being on the inside looking out! Had he waited any longer, or discussed it over a period of time, he would have likely experienced greater opposition.

Do you feel on the outside looking in today? As far as God is concerned, the only thing that prevents you from being on the inside is the condition of your own heart.

Have a blessed day!

Prayer: Dear God I do not desire to be excluded from Your will today. Actually, when I am in disobedience, I am the one who is shutting You out and not the other way around. Help me to be in obedience today that I may see clearly Your purpose in my life. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.