Ezra 8, Psalms 133

This past week I spent a few hours driving in the car with three lovely women; two of whom had older teenagers; the other was perfectly content having no children. As I listened to these women, their conversations often turned to their frustrating relationships with their teenage children. I heard phrases such as, “my children have a sense of entitlement” or “they don’t appreciate common curtsies.” Near the end of our drive, one sweet lady told me that she had raised her children just like we were raising our boys, but, she said. “Sometimes you can be a good parent, intend to raise them right, and have them turn out so wrong.” That comment depressed me, but later, after meditating on God’s word, it inspired me. I don’t want my deepest regrets to be the way my children turn out and there are plenty of things I can do to help God in the process of raising my kids to adulthood. I must be more diligent in living out my faith before my children, they need to see me on my knees and reading my bible more often.

I recently read a book called Why Christian Kids Rebel, the studies are showing that  nearly 90 percent of evangelical children leave the church after high school. The #1 reason given was hypocrisy. Though Kimmell’s book is about teenage rebellion, most of the book focuses on the hearts of the parents - for that is where the real problem exists.  The children saw first hand that their parents Sunday lives were not lived out Monday - Saturday and they  wanted nothing to do with that form of religion!

I love the image of the Jews, bearing gold, silver and treasures journeying back to Jerusalem without armed guards or a military presence. Ezra had 100% faith in the Lord to safely deliver the Jews to Jerusalem - Ezra lived out his faith in front of the Jews!  The journey to Jerusalem, reveals Ezra’s dedication to the things of the Lord, he was committed to fasting and praying, and teaching – he didn’t just expect God to protect them, he took diligent steps to coalition with God.

The Lord will faithfully help us as parents to raise the next godly generation, however, we’re expected to do our part. If you live a Sunday only faith, start by asking your children for forgiveness and together jump into the Bible and ask the Lord to change you from the inside out!  

Explore:

• Why did Ezra proclaim a fast?
• How did God respond to the Israelites’ prayers and fasting?
• How was Ezra’s caravan able to travel safely between the Ahava Canal and Jerusalem
• What does this story reveal about God’s protection of His people?
• How did Israel demonstrate their thankfulness to the Lord for His protection?
• What results have you experienced when you have fasted and prayed?  

Apply:

• If you were to fast and pray on a regular basis, who is one person who could join you or help keep you disciplined?
• What steps could you begin to take this week to depend less on your own strength and more on God’s power to help you through the challenges of life?