DEVOTIONAL

The word of God is to be proclaimed throughout the whole world as the Lord Himself said, “From the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations.” The holy God Who reigns in heaven did not choose the Angels for such a task as this, though the Angels fear Him and tread in His presence with their eyes and feet covered ready to bid His will. No, He chose the frailty of human instrumentality to speak forth His eternal word: The eternal word that holds the universe in its place and by which He will judge the wickedness of man’s heart. As it is written, “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”

While the southern kingdom of Judah was in Babylonian captivity, God began to stir desires in the heart of a man named Ezra with a longing to know Him. The southern kingdom of Judah had been taken captive by the Babylonians 70 years earlier for idolatry. They had forsaken the word of the Lord and had adopted the pagan practices of other nations. As God was releasing His people from captivity to go back to the land from which they were taken, he would not leave his people without a voice. In one of the darkest hours of the nation, while in a foreign land under captivity, Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it. This was not natural, for it was the work of God upon the soul of a man.

The Lord began to break his heart for the wickedness of the people, and he wept and mourned for their condition. God was preparing Ezra to be a preacher and to teach His holy law at the appointed time. So when the time came, with deep conviction, He rose with reverent fear to stand behind the wooden podium. He opened the law of God in front of all the people. As he stood above them, with his feeble voice, he proclaimed the eternal words of the infinite Lord. He called the entire nation to repentance and incited their hearts to long for obedience. His words went forth like thunderclaps from heaven that shook the hearts of all who were listening. The Spirit of God moved upon His words and the people bowed down weeping and confessing their sins. That day The Lord used the frailty of a mere mortal man; a man who had given himself completely to know the living God.

Men of God, those who stand behind the wooden podiums raised above the people. Those who have been called to preach the oracles of heaven and who have been burdened for the souls of man. Never tread lightly the sacred grounds for which you have been called. Never let complacency enter into your heart and remember the words of James, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” If God has truly called you to the office of preaching, then His word will burn inside of you like an insatiable fire that cannot be quenched. Posture your heart O man, beg for His grace; throw yourself into His holy word. Pray, “O Lord, have mercy upon every word that proceeds from my mouth. Those words that have not been bathed with my tears. Help me O Lord, lest I too shall fall short of your glory. O Lord, give me souls or take my life.”