May I Tread In The Wake Of Ezra The Scribe!

He was saint as well as scholar!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

"For Ezra had prepared his heart 
to the study and observance of the Law
of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees
and laws in Israel." Ezra 7:10

If I would be like Ezra the scribe, 

bringing things new and old out 

of a full treasury, and guiding the feet 

of the perplexed into the ways of peace--

I must look in four directions:

1. First, I shall turn my gaze inwards 

upon my heart. 

"Ezra had prepared his heart to the study 
and observance of the Law of the LORD."

 Ezra had prepared his heart, and so must I. 

I must understand that vital religion is deeper . . .

  than external observance of religious rituals,

  than a valiant confession of the lips,

  than an ordered theological belief system.

It is the soul convinced of sin, confiding 

the SAVIOR, filled from above with penitence 

and faith and peacefulness and power.

HE alone can plead with others 

and can prevail--

who has undergone this most 

radical change, and whose heart 

is prepared for his work by its simple 

trust in the redeeming and quickening 

mercy of his GOOD PHYSICIAN.

2. Then I shall give attention to my mind. For 

"Ezra had prepared his heart to the study 
and observance of the Law of the LORD."

 He was a pupil in the school of the heavenly 

oracles. He hungered and thirsted for clearer 

and profounder and more adequate conceptions 

of that wisdom which is eternal and divine.

To the last of my life, I must be a disciple 

and student of GOD'S WORD. He has 

more light and truth to break forth from 

HIS HOLY WORD; but HE reveals them 

to those alone who search and dig for 

them as for hidden treasure.

 How can I feed my fellows with the bread 

of the soul, unless I am busy appropriating 

and enjoying it myself?

3. And I shall be watchful over my life. 

"Ezra had prepared his heart to the study 
and observance of the Law of the LORD." 

Ezra was careful not merely to study
the Word,  but to DO it. 
He was saint as well as scholar! 

Day after day, the purifying WORD kept
him from staining his garments, and made
his character gracious and godly.

The sermon I preach by what I AM--
is more eloquent than the sermon 
I preach by what I SAY!

4. And, finally, I shall guard and train and
hallow my lips. It was Ezra's ambition to
teach GOD'S decrees and laws in Israel--
to speak . . .

  when the fitting opportunity presents itself;

  with no affectation, but naturally and
sincerely;   as a dying man to dying men;

  the unyielding truth in love and pity and
tears;   to the glory of GOD. 

May I tread in the wake of Ezra the scribe!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published William Nicholson's insightful short article,
"Neglect of the Great Salvation".