Ezra: The Lord HelpsSample

Every genuine Christian knows that they’re saved, but for what? The way we answer that question will (or should) have an impact on how we live our lives. There are a number of biblical answers to the question and the top of the list is that we are saved to glorify God. But how do we glorify God? 

Again there are a number of answers to that question, but one answer is here in verses 8–9. It has an impact on the way Ezra prays and how he lives his life. Ezra prays, ‘[God] has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins’ (v. 9). 

Ezra’s prayer of confession in verse 7 continues with an acknowledgment of the grace of God (v. 8). Aware of the enormity of the sin of God’s people, Ezra knows that their only hope is God’s grace. Without this, God would leave His people in slavery to sin and to the many masters that rule this world (v. 8). But the loving-kindness of God (v. 9) delivers God’s people out of bondage and out of exile. For Ezra’s generation, this means being taken back to Jerusalem. Now, having been saved and granted new life by God, they are to be about the task of repairing the ruins of God’s house (v. 9). That brings glory to God. 

Jesus describes us as slaves to sin (John 8:34). But in his gracious, loving-kindness He has bought us out of our bondage to sin, freed us from the wicked slave masters we naturally want to serve, and sets us on our way to the heavenly Jerusalem. Now we are to be about rebuilding the house of God – not a bricks-and-mortar building but the people of God, numerically and spiritually. 

Knowing what we’re saved for should motivate us to give our lives to the task of evangelism and discipleship. We build up the church by proclaiming the gospel and helping Christians grow in Christ. That glorifies God. May we not only rejoice that we are saved but know for what we are saved.

Reflection

Consider that you are saved in order to bring glory to God. Think about how building the church will bring glory to God. Devote yourself today to the task of building the church numerically and spiritually.