Ezra 9:5 “At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; And having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.”
As one comes to Ezra chapter 9 Ezra has heard a very disturbing report of some of God’s people practicing sin. It is especially grievous to Ezra that the leaders were leading the way in practicing sin. Ezra 9:2c says, ‘In this faithlessness, the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” As Ezra hears of these sins it brings a heavy brokenness, a brokenness described in Ezra 9:3. It says, “As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled.”
As we come to Ezra 9:5 we find Ezra, who has been fasting all day, will rise from his sitting position to now fall to his knees to pray and he will pray a prayer of confession. Ezra 9:6 tells of his prayer saying, “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.” Ezra acknowledges that they, God’s people, have broken God’s commandments. Ezra 9:10 says, “And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments.”
How do you usually respond to a report that there is “sin in the camp?” Does hearing about sin – first and foremost your own sin – break your heart? Ezra was appalled at sin being practiced. He was astonished at sin being practiced. He was ashamed, ashamed that sin was being practiced. His response was to humble himself before God and repent. His response of repentance will lead to revival.
Revival has been defined as the renewed commitment to obey God’s command.
As you read of Ezra’s response you see his posture in which he is on his knees. I have come to believe that the strongest we will ever be is on our knees. May I challenge you to kneel in offering adoration to God? May I challenge you to kneel in making confession? May I challenge you to kneel in offering thanksgiving to God for His abundant goodness and amazing grace. May I challenge you to kneel in pouring out your supplications to the Lord! While there is no requirement for our posture as we pray kneeling is spoken of as the posture many of God’s people used as they prayed.
Ezra gives us a tremendous example of responding to sin happening in a camp with humble brokenness and repentance.
Continue strong being brokenhearted over our sins,
And remember to DATE the Word