24 The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.

25 Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

— Acts 17:24-25

35 “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?”

36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

— Romans 11:35-36

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

— 2 Timothy 3:16-17

And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

— Acts 20:32

13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

14 Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

— 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

God is self-existent. His nature and worth do not depend on anything outside Himself. He does not need us in any way. Yet in amazing mercy and grace, God has revealed Himself to humanity, not just through His wondrous creation but with actual words. The Bible represents an extraordinary gift from God to the people He created. No matter how much Scripture we know or how many Bibles we own, we must not take God’s divine provision for granted. God tells us what He is like, what is true, how we can know Him, and how we should live. When we listen, surrender, and obey God, we do well.

Ezra’s leadership encompassed much more than leading a band of Israel returnees to accomplish an appointed task. Ezra is a true spiritual leader because he was fully committed to God, His words and His law. He personally devoted to studying God’s Word and teaching God’s truths to others. He led the people to seek, obey, and worship God. Ezra revered God and surrendered to His ways, deeply aware of God’s intervention and provision. God’s Word guides and guards His people’s commitment to Him. The God of eternity speaks to ordinary people through His extraordinary Word.