Long before Jesus, God gave his people the Law of Moses, the plan of how to live rightly and wisely. For generations, they neglected God’s word and lived as they pleased.
After King David and Solomon died, after years of disobeying God, Israel’s enemies overran them and took them into captivity. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell us what happened when the people returned to Jerusalem. After rebuilding the Temple and the wall around the city, Ezra the priest stood up to read the Law of Moses, which the nation of Israel had neglected. Here we have the people’s response.
They grieve at what they’d done and failed to do.
But they’re told, “Do not grieve!” Pick up and start over.
God is full of mercy. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been away from God or what we’ve done in the meantime. God’s mercy is enough to cover our mistakes and rebellion.
Maybe you’re reading this because you have tough decisions to make, or you’re worried about the future. Perhaps you’re trying to figure out how to dig yourself out from under some bad decisions. The important thing is that you’re here, seeking God’s wisdom. He will give it generously and without finding fault in the asker.
Don’t miss God’s plan for your future by grieving your past. Pick up and start over. His mercy is enough.
Prayer: God, thank you for your mercy. You give wisdom when we ask. God, I’m asking now. Please give me your wisdom for today’s challenges, for the decisions I need to make, for the picking up and moving on. I rest in your mercy today because your mercy is enough. Amen.