Ezra 7:10 – “For Ezra set his heart to study the law of Yahweh and to practice it, and to teach His statute and judgment to Israel.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the Holy Spirit brought something to my attention that resonates powerfully.

Although Ezra was a priest, this applies to everyone.  Notice his objective and the systematic progression.  He set his heart, made up his mind, and committed to this purpose.   He set aside designated time for the Word.   He was on a mission of discovery.   He was conducting a mining operation.  He was searching for answers.

He wanted to know in order to practice the truth he discovered.  Then, his desire and purpose were to teach that to others, disciplining them.

The words of Jesus exploded in my head and heart.  “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you…”   Out of that saturation with the Word, the Holy Spirit makes it alive and empowers!   Remember that on the day of Pentecost, they became spiritual dynamos!  Think about who they were.   The Jews who were saturated with the Word but not the power.   Once the energeia of the Holy Spirit saturated them, that Word implanted in them germinated and exploded with life and power.

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” It’s not just truth but truth, you know.  Truth given life by the Holy Spirit.   Remember that no scripture is of private interpretation.  We must interpret the Bible in light of every verse within it.   Do we know and have instant recall of every verse?   Of course not.  That is why we must continually study and eat and drink the Word of God.  We give the Holy Spirit ammunition and seed to produce an ever-expanding harvest in us.

Let’s set our hearts to study the Word, then practice what we learn, and in life and words teach others.  The Living God has given us His Living Word to make us alive!  Armed with the Word, no enemy or obstacle can stand.  Study is not plucking an isolated verse from a promise box; it is an investment of time, heart, and mind.  The reward is beyond imagination.

Lord, help each of us to ‘Set Our Hearts’ on You!