Everybody's God

Scripture: This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel: Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, teacher of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings. Ezra 7:11-12

Observation: King Artaxerxes believes that Yahweh - the Lord of Israel - is the true God of heaven. He not only is sending Ezra with his tribute and sacrifices to God, but five times in this letter is declares the Lord as the God of heaven, and three times states God dwells in Jerusalem.

I have observed this before but is bears repeated acknowledgment: Throughout the Old Testament, people and nations that are NOT the Jews believe in Yahweh. They seek to understand him, declare him Lord, honor him, seek prayer and guidance from Levites and priests, and fear his wrath. God is never owned only by the Jews - he was always the God of the entire world. It was only that the Jews were entrusted with the Law, and 'blessed to be a blessing' to others.

Application: May I always remember that God is NOT just the God of Christians, and Jesus does not reserve his love only for those who love him.

The Lord is God of the entire world. His heart breaks for those who do not know him as much as it does for those who bow to him. He loves, rules, judges, blesses, watches, and listens to everyone, everywhere, always.

Jesus is the savior of the entire world. The offer for eternal salvation is open to all, and it is an offer extended as a first gesture, not one withheld until asked for. Salvation is available to those who currently reject Jesus, those who don't know Jesus, those who hate Jesus, and those who have never heard the good news of Jesus.

The Lord was Artaxerxes God of heaven ... he was God to a Persian king as much as he was God to Ezra, an all-knowledgeable priest of Judah. Today he is God to all, not just to us pious Christians.

Prayer: Dear father, I know my sins are deep. I continue to seek your forgiveness and your strength in repentance. I know you love me and I am forgiven through my faith in Jesus - a gift I cannot (and certainly do not) earn. Please also remain jealous for those far from you, for those who do not believe in Jesus or you, or are even hostile toward you. May their hearts turn, for as the only God you are in fact their God, whether they know you or not. Amen.