Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-6.

She will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21.

How do you describe the joy found in seeking God?

Yesterday we had the privilege of listening to a man whose heart is seeking God in this life now. He’s not the only one. There are many who are uplifted in seeking and worshipping God. Every pastor, rabbi, priest, in whatever type of worship of God, is a blessing God gives to us so we can draw near to Him. For the word of God is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12. God is leading our small congregation to be with Him and the particular setting matters not. Is God limited or restricted? We think so small. God is active, alive and working in hearts all over this world, in every nation, and it is good. As more people come to the worship of Him, will there be enough chairs, enough homes, enough buildings for us? Yes. There are more than enough because our God is a Provider.

And look at our chapter, Ezra 7. God was working through Artaxerxes, King of Persia, to enable a second return to Jerusalem led by Ezra who descended from Aaron, v. 1-5. Can you imagine that today? I love in the notes below for context: (There is a gap of almost 60 years between the events of chapter six and seven. The story in the book of Esther occurred during this time, in the reign of Xerxes, who ruled from 486-465 B.C. Artaxerxes, his son, became king in 465, and Ezra returned to Jerusalem in 458). I couldn’t help but think about this exodus of several thousand to Jerusalem and the first exodus from Egypt. In both God provided. And Ezra’s joy? Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisors and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me. v. 27-28.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purposes. Philippians 2:13. Even to seek closeness with God and in that seeking to find rest and hope and joy is provided by our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. He gives rest when we are sorely in need. Thank You, Lord, that we do not carry the burdens of this world alone. You take them. You lift them with the love of others helping. We are family. When one hurts we all hurt. When one celebrates we all rejoice. There is more than enough with our God who gives generously. Take a seat! He’s here with us. He is the One leading us closer to Him.