Daily Devotions with Pastor Jim Cymbala

God holds the hearts of kings and earthly authority figures in His hands. When His favor rests upon our lives, He grants us the boldness to ask, negotiate, and step into new opportunities. From ancient kingdoms to our lives today, God consistently turns the hearts of others to fulfill His sovereign plans.

n a world constantly searching for the next trend, we do not need something new—we need something true. Scripture is the eternal, settled Word of God, and we cannot pick and choose which parts we want to believe. When we approach the Bible with a humble spirit, we learn to respect its complete authority without adding to or subtracting from its truth.

God’s timing rarely aligns with our expectations, as seen when Ezra arrived in Israel decades after the temple's completion. As a dedicated teacher who studied the law deeply, Ezra shows us that we must first receive and learn God’s truth before we can pour into others. Studying the Bible allows the Holy Spirit to store His Word in our hearts and minds for every season of life.

Following the completion of the temple and the joyful celebration of Passover in Ezra, the people of God separated themselves from unclean practices to worship the Lord in purity. Just as Passover required cleansing, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin and calls us to lay down the things that nailed Him to the cross. Out of gratitude for His ultimate sacrifice, we are inspired to sing a new song and live lives that fully honor Him.

In the book of Ezra, just as the temple was completed and priests were installed according to the divine blueprint given through Moses and David, God has a clear design for His people. Today God is building the church as His living temple, with Jesus Christ as the essential foundation. Following the divine plan means committing to prayer, fellowship, sharing, and the breaking of bread together. Let’s be encouraged that as we continue doing the Lord’s work according to His pattern, our labor is never in vain.