The Jewish exiles had made lives for themselves in Babylon. They had been there for about fifty years and they had built homes and established businesses. Many of those who left Babylon had been born and raised there. So it was no small thing for these people to up and leave everything to return to Jerusalem. They were walking into the unknown, back to a city in ruins with no idea how things would go there. But they went there because they believed that it was God’s purpose for them. And so when they got there the first thing they did was worship God. Whenever I begin a journey the first thing I do is check the map and set the direction. This is what they are doing here. The Jews were beginning a new stage in their journey and so the first thing they do is get themselves rightly oriented. It is so easy in life just to go, and keep going, without checking your direction. Inevitably, therefore, we end up very disoriented and lost. If you are to realise your purpose you must begin with worship. Worship is the gesture of giving oneself over to God; it is consciously forsaking our selfish life goals and agendas and giving ourselves to God’s purpose. I encourage you to begin your days with worship. Entrust yourself to God and set his purpose as your highest priority. It is important to make a conscious gesture of this for only in this way can you ensure that you will remain on course.
Entrust your life to God and to his purpose today.
Read Ezra 3:1-6
