Ezra 7:10 (ESV)

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Last week, in the posts, we looked at reading, listening to, and memorizing God’s Word. All of that is good for us!

I’ve been reading through the book of Ezra the past couple of days, and the verse above (Ezra 7:10) really caught my attention. It has caught my attention so much that I wrote in my journal that I want that verse to be true of me. I think it would be awesome for God to think of me as someone who studied His Word, did what it said, and taught others to follow Him.

Many times I’ve said and written that I’m convinced the more we know God the more we will love Him and want to serve Him. Loving and serving are the result of knowing.

As Ezra studied God’s Word, the irresistible effect was to do what it said. That’s the power that God’s Word has in our lives when it starts to become a part of us – it becomes irresistible for us to follow. We really have no choice, nor do we want another option other than obedience. Because as we get to know God more and more, we see more and more of His goodness, righteousness, power, love, grace, mercy, etc. The obvious conclusion for any follower of Christ is, “I must follow Him, and it is good for me to do it.”

Here’s the cool thing – studying, doing, and teaching others is not just for special people like Ezra. It’s not just for pastors, teachers, or missionaries. It’s for all of us. In fact, that’s the Great Commission:

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

All of us, as followers of Christ, can study, do, and teach God’s Word. And not only can we do it, we get to do it!

So… think hard about God. Follow the example of Ezra. Set your heart to:

• Love reading His Word.
• Love listening to His Word preached.
• Love memorizing His Word.