The Answer to Discouragement

After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. (Ezra 9:1–5 ESV).

 

Discouragement is common, especially in our present culture. Evil disguises itself as good; lies are more common than truth; and hatred has replaced love. This is something of the context of our reading today. The leaders of Israel approached Ezra with bad news. While building God’s house, Israel was still following their own desires. Everyone was guilty. The leaders and officials led the way in unfaithful living. Discouraged, Ezra likely wanted to walk away after all the hard work he had done. But he chose a better way: He “fell on [his] knees … and prayed.”

 

First, Ezra admitted his sins and the sins of the people. Then he recounted the Lord’s faithfulness and confessed that the people had failed to apply God’s Word to their daily lives as holy people of the Lord. They had mixed with the people around them and accepted their “detestable practices”—that is, the worship of other gods and the immorality that went with it: perverse sexual relations, child sacrifice, occult practices, and more (cf. Leviticus 18-20; Deuteronomy 7:3-4; 18:9-13). Ezra also appealed to God’s character: “Lord, the God of Israel, you are righteous!” Ezra prayed that the Lord would not toss them aside but instead redeem them for his purposes.

 

When we confess our sins, Jesus doesn’t toss us aside or throw us out like trash. He is willing to forgive us and redeem us to live life on his terms and by his Spirit’s power. If you are feeling discouraged or hopeless read 2 Corinthians 4:1-18… this is the truth that will break the chains of helplessness!