Week 2 - Listen & Learn | Day 9

SCRIPTURE - EZRA 3:1-6

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, the people assembled together as one in Jerusalem. Then Joshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices. Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day. After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings, the New Moon sacrifices and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred festivals of the Lord, as well as those brought as freewill offerings to the Lord. On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, though the foundation of the Lord’s temple had not yet been laid.

OBSERVATION

After spending many years exiled in Babylon, the people of Israel were finally allowed to return to Jerusalem. Everything was in ruins, and they had to rebuild their lives from scratch. The city was vulnerable and exposed, and verse 3 makes it clear that the people were afraid of attacks from the surrounding nations. But even in their fear, they didn’t start by building walls or houses. They rebuilt the altar of God first. The altar of God wasn’t just a place for sacrifices and rituals. It was Israel’s meeting place with God. By choosing to prioritize the altar of God, the Israelites positioned themselves to hear from Him before they did anything else. Instead of relying on their own strength or trying to secure their own safety, they trusted God as their source of protection, direction, and provision. They didn’t try to fit God into their plans as they rebuilt their lives. They put God first and built their lives around hearing from Him.

APPLICATION

The altar was the place where the Israelites positioned themselves to hear from God. If we want to hear from Him this year, we need habits and rhythms that help us listen. Time with God in prayer shouldn’t be an afterthought that we try to fit into our schedule. Meeting with Him daily should be what we put first. 

Do you prioritize the altar in your own life? Do you have patterns that help you hear from God? If not, start by giving Him ten minutes at the beginning of the day to read scripture, pray, and listen. If we’re not careful, pride can keep us from listening. We start to think we can handle things on our own or rely on our own strength. Hearing from God begins with recognizing how much we need His Word and His help in every area of our lives. And when we put Him first, we’ll begin to see more of our lives in alignment with His will.

PRAYER

Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve taken time to hear from God. Today, remember that He still wants to speak to you. Hearing from God begins with putting Him first. If there are things in your life that have taken that place, bring them to Him now. Ask Him to help you prioritize time with Him so His Word can shape every part of your life. 

God, thank you that when I put you first, everything else falls into place. Help me position myself to hear from you every day. I pray that my life would be centered around meeting with you before anything else. As I choose to put you first, I ask that you would be my source of strength and protection. Amen.

---

If you haven't signed up yet to receive our daily devotional, you can text 21DAYS to (469) 817-9977