08-16-2026 A Little Reviving

Text: Ezra 9:8-9

                When we think about truly great people in our life, celebrities, politicians, war heroes, sports figures, and maybe parents and friends come to mind.  We remember them because of certain acts or character qualities.  When we think of biblical heroes, this list undoubtedly includes may who served God faithfully and courageously.  But does your list include Ezra?  Far from being well known, this unnoticed man of God deserves to be mentioned in any discussion of greatness. 

                Ezra was a priest, a scribe, and a great leader.  His name means ‘help,’ and his whole life was dedicated to serving God and God’s people.  He knew, believed, and obeyed God’s Word.  When he learned of the Israelites’ sins of intermarriage and idolatry, he fell on his knees before God and prayed for the nation as is recorded in Ezra 9.  Our text this morning is from Ezra 9:8-9 that say: “ (8) And now for a little space grace has been showed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in His Holy Place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.  (9) For we were bondsmen; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage but has extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving to set up the House of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.”

                Ezra begins his prayer with thanksgiving.  He’s setting a good example for all of us just as David did in Psalm 103.  As bad as the conditions were, he chose to focus on the positive.  Yes, his people had forgotten God and ended up in captivity under Persia.  But he still trusted God and found a little reviving.

                He starts by expressing thanks ‘for a little space grace.’  He and his people had been in bondage and lived under the laws of their captors.  They wanted nothing more than to be able to go home and to be free.  Ezra could have focused on their sorrows, but grace allowed for a remnant (a small group) to return to their home, so Ezra gave thanks to God.

                We also live in a space of grace.  Romans 3:20-23 reminds us that we live in this space despite our sins.  God’s grace offers us salvation which is a gift from God.  Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that the gift we have been given is not something we earned by our good works.  All we need to do is to accept by faith the gift that’s offered to everyone.  Have you responded to this gift from God?

                Ezra focused on God’s faithfulness.  The ‘nail in His holy place’ in verse 8 refers to the remnant that was returning to Israel.  The number may have been small, but it was significant.  It shows that God had faithfully preserved His people.  Ezra could have focused and grieved over those who refused to come with him but instead, he chose to rejoice in those who responded to God’s call. 

                Each one of us face similar choices every day.  When we do, how do we respond?  Do we allow God’s faithfulness fill our heart with praise or do we choose to dwell on what we didn’t get?

                Ezra focused on God’s goodness when he said, ‘that our God may lighten our eyes and give us a little reviving in our bondage.’  Ezra didn’t claim a full restoration of Israel.  Instead, his statement was saying that any grace will be appreciated because the truth is, they deserve no grace at all.

                God is the source of light and life to all who will look to Him for it.  I John 1:5 tells us that God is light.  John 8:12 says that Jesus is the Light of the World.  Our enemies are called the powers of darkness as we are told in Ephesians 6:12.  But we should always remember that our God is good to us and provides deliverance through His Son Jesus as found in Colossians 1:13.  When we focus on what God has done for us, we can always receive a little reviving of our faith no matter how dark may be around us. 

                We should all follow Ezra’s example.  Little revivals from God are well worth finding and we should never take them for granted.  When it becomes a habit to show thankfulness for the little things we receive from God, very soon the little revivals we see will grow into bigger and better revivals. 

                It’s a fact that there’s a lot of darkness in the world today.  But focus on what God has done for you and take the time to thank Him for every good thing that comes your way and you will be amazed at how your perspective on life will change.  If you get overwhelmed by things you hear on the news or see on social media, stay away from it.  Or maybe change the things you follow and look for channels and sites that can show you the goodness we get in our lives because of the love of God and Jesus. 

                Most people that have a positive outlook about life are those who live with gratitude.  If you adopt that habit in everything you do and say, I promise that your outlook on life will become lighter and people will notice a change in you.  And should they ask you about it, that the opportunity to tell them about the good things God has done for you.

                Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ah