Ezra 8-10: Relief in Our Bondage

“But now, for a brief moment, the LORD our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. - Ezra 9: 8-9 NIV

The history of God's people has been for the most part a story of bondage.  A lot of which has been self-inflicted because of the flippant nature with which we have treated our God.  It happened to the Israelites time and time again and it has happened to Christian nations down through history.  God has always loved his people and there have been times when as Ezra said, 'God has given light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage'.  One of those times was the blessing that was bestowed on this nation at it's founding. 

The same can be said on an individual level as well.  God has given light to our eyes.  He has not deserted us in our bondage, in fact, he has always been waiting and willing to take us out of that bondage if only we would call on his name.  Some of us know what it is like to have wandered away from God's love for a season and have experienced the new life and enabling to rebuild that he grants us when we return from exile.  Though we may have been slaves to sin, he has not deserted us.  There is still light for our eyes and relief from our bondage.

2010 Post - Ezra 8-10:  Less Than Our Sins Deserved