August 8

Ezra 7:1-8:20, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, Psalm 30:1-12, Proverbs 20:28-30 

Pray: Paul asks a tremendous question in today’s reading, “What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” Take time to consider all the gifts that God has given you, including that breath you just took. Enter today’s reading with humility and a hunger to know the giver of those gifts. 

Read: The New Testament, Old Testament, and Psalm readings are all in the shadow of trials, difficulty, and suffering. Whether it’s picking up the pieces from exile, conflict resolution, or health issues, what do you learn about the Lord through the brutally honest situations you encounter in today’s reading?

Edify: Ezra lived in a difficult time with a people who had forgotten who they are after 70 years of exile in Babylon. Despite a difficult life, he was quite aware that “the gracious hand of his God was on him” (Ezra 7:9) and that his purpose was to “study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel” (Ezra 7:10). It’s one thing for the Israelites that returned to build the temple, but quite another for someone like Ezra to rebuild their faith in God.  Much like David in the Psalm, although people disappointed him repeatedly, he praises God for His “unfailing love” demonstrated towards him.  Similarly, Paul observes that “we apostles have been put on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die” (1 Corinthians 4:9). Paul lived a difficult life, became a spiritual father, and was often disappointed by the way he was treated. However, he persisted in the sharing of the Good News despite how it was received or the obstacles in the way. Despite having the gracious hand of the Lord upon them, these great and fruitful leaders displayed grit and perseverance within their clear calling.

Practice: What is that God-honoring, but difficult, action that you have been putting off? Who do you need to have a crucial conversation with or need to apologize to? Show grit by leaning into the difficult, but God-honoring path while remembering that God’s gracious hand is upon you.