Ezra was a scribe and a priest who helped lead God's people during their return from Babylonian captivity and to restore their spiritual condition. In the book of Nehemiah, we read that all the people gathered together in the open square in front of the Water Gate. For what purpose? "Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law." {Nehemiah 8:3} What resulted for those who heard this reading? "And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground."{Nehemiah 8:6}

The people had forgotten God's law. Ezra knew that the first step in fixing their spiritual condition was to get the law of God into their ears and hearts. So it is with us today. The more we have God's word in our hearts, the more it can help us live our lives before the world. David blessed those who "meditate day and night on the law" (Psalm.1:1,2). In every generation, God's people must commit His word to memory in their hearts that it might guide and protect them as they journey down life's uneven pathway. That is why Paul commanded that we study (2 Timothy 2:15). The more of God's word we have in our hearts, the stronger we are at engaging and defeating Satan! Ignorance has always weakened God's people, enabling Satan to subdue them. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because they have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of God, I will also forget your children." {Hosea 4:6} Paul said the Jews of his day had the same problem. "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God."{Romans 10:3}

Ezra also did something else in preparation for guiding the people back to a better spiritual condition before God. "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel." {Ezra 7:10} Notice the four steps Ezra took.

Prepared his heart. In order for it to benefit me in any way, I must have a proper attitude and love for God's word. I'm the only one who can prepare my heart! To begin, I must understand and believe that it is His word--the word of life!

Seek the law. We must desire to know God's word. (1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14) If we search for, and desire to know, the truth, God will ensure our coming into contact with it.

To do it. Practice what you preach. It does little good to tell others how God's word applies to them; while making no personal application in our own lives. Truth applies the same to all people. (1 Timothy 4:16)

To teach others. We must share the truth with those who need it most--the lost, dying sinners. (2 Timothy 2:2) We cannot be selfish with the words of life. God expects His children to take His message to the lost. God desires that all be saved, not just a select few. Dear reader, are you taking steps to improve your spiritual condition before God? If not, it isn't improving!