Return to the Word

Ezra 7:10 (NIV)
“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Ezra was more than a priest-he was a man on a mission. But before he ever stepped into leadership or influence, he made a personal decision that shaped his entire legacy: he devoted himself to the Word of God. He didn’t just study it casually-he committed his life to understanding it, living it, and sharing it. And from that devotion came revival, not just in his own heart, but throughout the nation of Israel.

In a world full of noise and distraction, it’s easy to treat God’s Word like a side dish-something we get to if we have time. But Ezra’s life reminds us that personal revival starts with personal devotion. Before we can impact others, lead, or rebuild broken things around us, we must first let God do a deep work within us. That kind of transformation starts by opening the Word, listening closely, and applying what we read.

Notice Ezra’s order: study, practice, then teach. Too often, we reverse it-trying to speak before we’ve obeyed or act before we’ve understood. But real influence begins in the quiet places where we wrestle with truth and let it shape us. You don’t need a stage or a title to live like Ezra. You just need a heart hungry for God and a willingness to let His Word lead you.

So, what’s your relationship with Scripture like right now? Has it been a while since you sat with God’s Word-not out of obligation, but out of love? If so, it’s time to return. Open the Bible. Read slowly. Let it speak. And as it does, you’ll find that revival doesn’t always come in a crowd-it often begins with one devoted heart.

Prayer:
Lord, draw me back to your Word. Stir in me a fresh hunger to know you more deeply. Help me not just to read the Bible, but to live it out and share it with others. Let my personal devotion become the foundation for lasting transformation in my life and in the lives of those around me.