The Holy Astonishment

"'For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.' When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled."-Ezra 9:2-3 Our church worships God often by singing a song called HOSANNA. It is such a beautiful song and brings me to tears of reverence every time we sing it. One phrase in the song moves me deeply, it is a truth that needs to happen often in the saints of God, the phrase is “break my heart for what breaks yours.” May the Lord fill my heart-and the heart of all His saints- with such an intimacy and reverence. May we, His church, fall on our faces and repent any time our heart senses the smallest affront to our Lord! This holy humbling, this sacred shocking, far from being wrong, is innate within us. It is what instantly sprung up in Ezra; it is what immediately grieved Paul (Acts 17:16), and it is what moved Jesus to drive the money changers from the temple (Matthew 21:12). Let the world call us extremist because our heart is so completely interwoven with the heart of God; let other giggle and mock behind our backs because our eyes fill with tears when our Lord demeaned. If the world didn’t understand our Lord, it won’t understand us. Brothers and Sisters, what a joy to be identified with He who loves us. Like I said, far from being wrong, may the Spirit of God place this instant upsetting within us. It is what will drive us to holiness in our walk before God, ripping and dragging all the cancers of the flesh out of our lives. It is what will move us to spread into society the honor and reverence for Jehovah God.

REFLECTION: After Ezra mourned, he and the leaders in Ezra publicly directed the nation to separate themselves unto God. Revival broke out and Israel returned to the Lord. I firmly believe the times we live in are shocking to our spirit. Every day it seems new depth of depravity happen, often driven by our President and national leaders. May you and I-the saints of God-be like Ezra and confront these doors to destruction for the honor and glory of our God... for the hope of a peaceful, Godly life for all.

Pastor Michael Heil

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for being the Unchanging Lord of Glory. You are my Stability in an always-changing world. Thank You for Your mercies and Your compassion. Father, may I always be in awe of You for You, O God, are the God of Holiness. You are worthy of all glory. Fill me with reverence and respect for You as I continue on in doing Your will. Show me Your glory, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

#TopicArticle #astonishment #holiness #reverence