Reflections: Ezra, the priest and scribe, discovered a great abomination among the people of Israel when he sought to help them live right. Many, including priests, had intermarried with the Canaanites in gross disrespect of divine instructions. God had warned them not to marry the indigenous people of Canaan. To guide the people, Ezra led them to confess their sins before the Lord and repent. The people then took action, dissolving their marriages with the Canaanites and lived righteously. This act demonstrates that repentance is not complete with confession alone; it requires a change of heart that results in abandoning sinful behaviour. Repentance must be accompanied by corrective actions to be effective.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me take the necessary corrective action when I repent.

Confession: When I confess my sins, I take corrective action to make things right.