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Day 8 – Bondage Ezra 9 There are many things in our lives that hold us bondage, though we don’t think of it as bondage. Whatever we place above God in first place in our lives holds us captive. It can be our job, hobbies, children, friends, activities we’re involved in. So many things take root in our lives and hold us captive, though we might not realize it. Israel was rooted in sin before they returned to Jerusalem. They had gone into exile because they forsook God and transgressed against Him by worshiping other gods, the gods of the countries surrounding Israel. When they returned home nothing had changed. They took up right where they left off, and Ezra fell on his face before God in shame for the trespass of his people. As Christians we need to recognize those things in our lives that are ahead of God, and put them in their proper place, even getting rid of them if they are idols. We might not look at what we do as idols, but if we put more emphasis on our work, hobbies, children, friends, and other activities, it is the same as having idols in our lives. Now we won’t quit our jobs, or toss our kids in the street, but we can stop being workaholics, and give our children some breathing room. Jesus said, Matthew 10:37 He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. We need to set our priorities in place, just as the children of Israel needed to when they returned from exile. We need to put God in first place in our lives, and everything else – jobs, children, hobbies, and other activities will fall into their rightful place. Let’s pray: Father, help me keep You in first place in my life. Help me not to stray from Your side, but seek You first in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 25 January 2016 by Valerie Jean Routhieaux All scripture is King James Version, edited by me into common English. Image courtesy of Pixabay