Mercy...Leave the Dust Behind

~~~ Ezra 9:5-9 ~~~ Response: Tobit 13:2  ~~~ Luke 9:1-6 ~~~

 

...mercy came to us from the LORD, our God,
who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place;
thus our God has brightened our eyes...

 

The mercy of God is extended freely to us.

Giving us passage to his heavenly home. We, like Ezra,

fall on our knees in thanksgiving for his mercy. 

Even though we are wrought with sinfulness our God

 brings us up from the depths.

How can we begin to express our thanks to the Lord?

 

We have been brought into the family of the Father.

We are loved and cared for as a child of the Father.

 

 

Now he sends us out just as the twelve apostles were sent out.

 

 “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.

 

God wants us to rely solely on him.

We do not need to take anything else with us.

Especially we do not need to take any guilt

 or shame about our shortcomings.

 

God gives us all that we need, because we now share

 in his glory and power.

We are children of the light.

 

We must go out into the world doing the work of God.

Our attitude being, that God does work through his chosen ones.

He will take care of not only our physical needs, but also

 our emotional and spiritual needs.

 

...shake the dust from your feet...

 

As you go out to the people shake off all prejudice,

judgment, criticism, and doubt. 

 

If God is to use you for his greater honor and glory

you must rid your heart of all blockages.

Your heart must be free.

You must take nothing but his love out to the people.

 

Blessings come in freedom from all worldly things.

Free to concentrate on allowing God to be the center of our life.

Through his mercy we can leave all behind;

even the dust from our feet.