The following
is from Ezra chapter 8, where Ezra the scribe recorded the actions and
motivations of their trip from Babylon to Jerusalem to restore temple worship.
21Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of
Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe
journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.22For I was ashamed to request from the king troops
and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to
the king, "The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek
Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him." 23So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.
Application to
us: It’s one thing to sing grand songs of faith or make professions of what we
would do if in difficult circumstances.
But when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances and faith in God
is needed is when the real test of it takes place. Humbling ourselves and listening even more
closely to the Lord’s voice would be the route to take, even as Ezra did. He was blessed and strengthened for it, and
so will we be.
