October 07, 2021: SOAP #4326:  Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

SCRIPTURE:  Ezra (NIV) 8:22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.  …
31 On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

OBSERVATION: Now it was time to begin the journey to Jerusalem.  They carried silver and gold and articles for the temple. (Verse, 25) These would make them a target for bandits along the way.  Having the presence of soldiers and horsemen would be comforting.  BUT Ezra had bragged about the goodness and greatness of God to King Artaxerxes.  Asking for a protective escort now would indicate that Ezra really did not believe God was good enough and great enough to take care of those doing His will!!!  

APPLICATION:  If I claim that my God is more than able to meet my needs…  If I claim that my God has unlimited resources…  If I claim my God is my Heavenly Father who cares for me…  then what does it say to people when I beg them for those things that God has promised to provide for me?   Do I really believe my God is able and willing to help me?   Like Ezra, help me care about the character of God that I am portraying to the world? 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, help me put my faith and confession into practice.  Help me to trust God to be all I have taught others that He is.  Although you may use people to meet my needs, may they do so only in response to you.  Let the pressure in me to meet any needs be expressed in faith toward you and not in pleading with people.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!