January 5 - New Life in Jerusalem

January 5 – New Life in Jerusalem

“For we are slaves; yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to give us new life to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judea and Jerusalem.” (Ezra 9:9)

The Israelites had lived as slaves to the Babylonians, far from everything they knew and loved. 

Then one day, God answered their prayers and Cyrus, King of Persia, in his first year in power was moved to allow the Israelites return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.

The Israelites felt as if they had been given renewed life … a new chance at freedom.  They had a new opportunity to live with God as their Holy King.  While we know it didn’t last forever, it did begin the period of time in which Jesus Christ came to earth.

These words can apply to our own lives as well.

We are slaves, but God has not forsaken us.  While we aren’t living under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, we do live in an alien world, under the reign of sin and death. 

God has extended His steadfast love for each of us through the King of Kings and Lord of Lords … Jesus Christ.  We have been given new life to set up the house – the Temple of God within ourselves. 

Jesus can help us repair our ruins and brings safety to our lives – wherever we may live.

He has given us new life.