Ezra 8-10

May 22

Ezra 8-10

Ezra decided he needed to put his money where his mouth was. He had told the king that God would protect those who looked to Him and those who abandoned Him would face His anger. When the king told Ezra he could leave with people, Ezra decided he would not ask the king for protection because he had already told him that God would protect them. Ezra instead called for a fast and called for the people to humble themselves before God to seek His protection as they traveled to Jerusalem.

To humble ourselves before God, we must admit our guilt, confess our sin, and submit to God. Ezra wanted to make sure the people were walking in obedience to God before they walked the path to Jerusalem. Ezra called for a fast to prepare hearts before they prepared for the journey ahead of them. God heard their prayer and protected Ezra and the Israelites as they traveled to Jerusalem carrying the offerings from those in Babylon.

We like to think that God is our protector, but do we really believe He will take care of us. Do we really trust Him, or do we trust our bank account more. Do we really trust Him, or do we trust the government more. Do we really trust him or do we trust our parents more. Do we trust Him or do we trust anything in this world more? Ezra trusted God enough that he set out on his journey without the king’s protection.

Ezra spent time fasting and praying before he left home. If we spend time fasting and praying and seeking God’s will before we set out on any adventure, we will know God’s will. If we follow God’s will, He will protect us. He will make sure we accomplish the purpose He has laid out before us. He has a plan to prosper us; we must have to make sure we are following His plan.