Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

It’s not uncommon to learn of musicians or athletes who have spent years in preparation. They do this, not for a career as a musician or athlete, but for the chance to have a career as a musician or athlete. Many of those dreams do not become reality. It’s not that they have nothing to show for it, but the goal was not achieved.

Ezra had a different goal in mind. His was a loftier goal. He prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord. Think of it as ‘he prepared his heart to study and learn the Bible.’ He wanted to be knowledgeable about the Bible. Even to be a Bible scholar. This is a great goal! But Ezra had even bigger goals!

He would not just study the Bible and learn what truths were found therein, he would ‘do it.’ In other words, he determined to study the Bible and obey what he found there. He would read and learn the words of God and then he would allow his life to be changed by it. What a tremendous goal! But Ezra wasn’t even stopping there!

He wanted to take what he had learned from his study and what he had learned from his obedience and he wanted to teach others. He wanted to share with his countrymen the wonderful blessings of a life lived in service and obedience to God!

He had prepared his heart. He, no doubt, spent many long hours over the course of some years in chasing after this goal. He was blessed and benefited along the way. But did he achieve the goal? Well, we read this from the book of the Bible that bears his name!

Others have had similar goals. Paul wrote to the Philippians in chapter 3,

     Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forget-ting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

That’s the goal I want to work toward!

Blessings,

Pastor Russ