God’s Word Brings God’s Presence
By Greg Sanders

Ezra 7:9….for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.

The hand of God was obviously on Ezra. It was not his designation as a priest or a leader that exposed the presence of God. The relationship Ezra had with God and His Word was displayed in the presence of God in his life to the point that even the king realized that God was with Ezra. Isn’t that type of display what the world needs to see in believers today? Isn’t the desire for God’s hand upon us be what each believer should be seeking in our daily lives? It was this desire to know God and please God that invited His presence to manifest in such a tangible way.

How can we invite the hand of God to be upon our lives? Ezra shows us a few ways.

Ezra determined to study the Word of God.
Studying God’s Word does not always seem life changing at the moment. However, when you study God’s Word, you are taking in God’s thoughts, His desires, His standards, and His purposes into your life. The consistent inflow of His Word does a transformative work in your life that makes more and more room for Him. Determine to be a student of God’s Word.

Ezra determined to obey the Word of God.
Transformation continues as you obey the Word of God. Taking in the Word of God can only take you so far. Application must be coupled with study for the flow of God to continue filling our lives. Your willingness to obey what the Holy Spirit reveals will either be a catapult or a cap on the power that is displayed in your life.

Ezra determined to share with Word of God.
Each time you share the Word of God with another person you are making room for God to dispense fresh encouragement and presence in your life. The presence of God does not increase in your life because you hoard it, but because you share it. Imitate the choice of Ezra to share the word of God with others. By doing so, you open an endless river of God’s power and refreshing in your life.

Today’s Challenge:The hand of God and His presence on my life is something I deeply desire. Therefore I must engage in the Word of God in an increasing fashion. I challenge you to join me today in seeking more and more of God. That may mean diving into His Word, or it may mean sharing it with someone else.