What Gives Us Joy?

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Zechariah 7-8; Ezra 5-6

God is the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER (Heb 13:8). Who He is, is never changing. His character and attributes are eternal. That means that the God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament (Malachi 3:6). His standards are the same; His love and justice remain (Ps 119:89; Ps 33:11). I love that about our God! He was mighty when He created the world; and He is mighty as He creates our stories. He was just when He conquered and wiped out sinful nations (Deut. 19:1); and He is just as He wipes away our sin (Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9). He cared about His children's conduct then, and He cares about it now (Eph 5:15).

That brings us to today's reading where we find God’s people “separating themselves from the unclean practices of their gentile neighbors.” (Ezra 6:21) That was Israel's process of sanctification, which God knew would ultimately protect them.

As New Testament Believers, we worship the same God - our process of sanctification may look different from Israel's but the purpose and outcome is the same. The purpose is to glorify God and the outcome is true joy as we reflect Jesus. (1 Cor 6:11; John 17:17; 1 Tim 6:11-12; Matt 5:16).

Israel's process began with fasting and praying (Zech 8:19). They sought the Lord by practically getting rid of sin, and they celebrated the feast of unleavened bread (Ezra 6:21, 22). Our story is no different, because our God is not different. We seek the Lord, let go of sin, celebrate the fulfillment of the feast of unleavened bread as we take communion, and are freed from the law of sin and death - bondage is no more and our hearts are filled with joy.

“The Lord filled them with joy” Ezra 6:22