1 Verse, 2 times a day, 10 days (Ezra 7:10)
A couple months ago, my brother and I committed to meditating on Romans 12:1-2 for 12 minutes at noon for 12 days in a row and it was very fruitful.
I posted all of the below notes on this verse to Facebook during my 10 days of meditating on it at or around 7:70 twice a day from May 7th to May 17th, and I thought it would be appropriate to compile of them for those who don’t use Facebook or who might have missed them. I hope at least someone is blessed, encouraged or challenged by these ideas from this awesome single verse.
“For Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord [to inquire for it and of it, to require and yearn for it], and to do and teach in Israel its statutes and its ordinances.”Ezra 7:10 (AMP)
Format is day or date and time with version of Bible in parentheses and then my thoughts:
· May 12 at 7:22am (AMP): At first when I see the words “statutes” and “ordinances” I just say, “hmmm just more law stuff.” But I think these two words have way more depth than most realize. “Misphat” (translated “ordinances”) occurs 400 times in the OT and means to determine, decide, decree, judge or rule. And “Chok” (translated “statutes”)occurs 220 times and 21 of those are in Psalm 119 alone! Signifying something enacted or engraved or inscribed. One is spoken the other written – kind of like logos and rhema, (see Matt 4:4 and John 1:1) God’s Word both spoken and written is SOOO good!!!
· May 14 at 7:32am (NLT): Is there anyone who will be determined like Ezra to study and teach? Do we know God’s decrees better than the decrees of a supreme court justice and His regulations better than those that guide our Marine Corps careers?
· May 15 at 7:01am (WEB): The notion of FOLLOWING your heart disgusts me – mainly because it is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9) What a horrible thing to follow! No one would let a deceitful and wicked person lead them – at least not intentionally!
I’m thinking Ezra knew all that, and so he took charge of his heart – setting it on God’s word; making his heart follow the Law instead of letting his lost and fallen heart try to lead him!
· May 15 at 7:16pm (NET) What does it mean to dedicate yourself? Are we truly dedicated? — or is there some need for a re-dedication, which seems to imply the initial dedication was inadequate…
· Wednesday at 7:32am (NLT): Pray with me this morning that the leaders of this country and of our beloved Corps would have the heart and mind of Ezra; that the Spirit that was in Ezra will also be in them – to feel the freedom to do what God’s Word says and also teach it to others!
· Wednesday at 7:19pm (GNT) Have you ever seen someone who DEVOTED HIS LIFE to someone or something? What does that look like? Is it obvious? What is the result?
· Thursday at 7:16am (NKJV & HCSB): Adequate preparation and study is required TO DO anything well. Ezra didn’t just TRY to do it, he DID it – and showed how important obedience really is.
I’ve heard that trying is defined as “making an attempt without adequate preparation.” I pray we don’t just TRY to follow Christ. Let’s determine to prepare our hearts, seek and study and then in obedience — do it!
· Thursday at 7:30pm (MSG): And so the 10 days of meditation ends with the CSLI annual dinner with good friends including my former OpsO and former AMO – mighty men of God who are following Ezra’s example.
So that was it. I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to the next time I’ll do something like this.
Peace,
Adam
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