A Prepared Heart
Ezra 7:10
The Scriptures say, “And Ezra prepared his heart to seek
the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and
judgments.” (Ezra 7:10). This verse is actually a summary of Ezra’s life
and purpose. He was determined to fully accept the Lord’s direction in life.
This desire came from deep conviction and reverence for God. This led Ezra to
seek out the Lord’s will in His revealed Word, the Scriptures.
Some complain that the Lord’s will is too difficult to understand. But others,
like Ezra, have had no problem in understanding it. There is a whole list of
just plain, regular folks in Rom. 16 who all understood it quite well. Timothy
is said to have understood it from a child.
The fact is, Jesus said that some would never understand. But it was not because
of a lack of ability but rather a lack of will. They have unprepared hearts. To
understand, Jesus insisted that one must desire to have God in his or her life.
He or she must be willing to open eyes, ears and heart.
The parable of the sower sowing seed is a case in point, well illustrating how
important it is for us to prepare our hearts to understand and receive the words
of Christ (Matt. 13:3-9; 18-23). One who is unwilling will often complain it is
just too difficult to understand, but Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep
My commandments.” (John 14:15).
In dealing with a rebellious people, the Lord chose Isaiah to be His prophet.
Through Isaiah, Jehovah charged, “I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but
you did not hear.” (Isa. 65:12). These people had turned their backs on God, and
the more alienated they became the more their nation’s problems grew until
finally their nation fell.
They did not answer God’s call. It is important for us to understand that God
still calls today; not through prophets like Isaiah but through the gospel of
Jesus Christ, His Son. The Scriptures affirm that God “called you through our
gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 2:14).
Answering this call means bringing our lives into harmony with the teachings of
the gospel; to “walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own
kingdom and glory.” (1 Thess. 2:12).
We do not know what the future holds for our own nation today. We can continue
to ignore God’s call and slide into tragic defeat just the way Isaiah’s people
did long ago. Or, we can remember our foundation and reclaim it. Though none of
us as individuals can decide for our nation, we each can decide for ourselves to
answer the call of God. Prepare your heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to
do it, and to share with others the Lord's statutes and judgments.
