“For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.” Ezra 8:22.

We have all been ashamed or embarrassed or guilty because of certain actions, characteristics, or associations that we may have encountered. Ezra was a Jewish scribe and priest that God used to lead and instruct a portion of the Israelites from exile in Babylon back to Jerusalem and build the temple.

The journey was not one of ease; but quite dangerous as they would travel along the treacherous by ways where robbers and thieves would lay wait in the dark crevices of the mountains for innocent and unprotected travels to come along and overtake them. Ezra and the returning exiles carried precious and expensive materials for the building of the Lord’s temple. He could have certainly, ask the king for protection along the way and it would have been provided…but his heart would not let him.

He was put to shame to even consider the thought when he had gladly proclaimed and testified of the power and protection of God Almighty before the king! “For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.” Ezra 8:22.

Instead, Ezra called for a fast and sought God for guidance and protection, “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”  God is faithful and His Word is true…He answered the pleas of His children, He provided, protected, and delivered his people safely to Jerusalem. “So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.” Ezra 8:23.

The account of Ezra’s actions to trust in the faithfulness and sovereignty of God is a witness to every born-again believer…  when we stand on the power of Almighty God…He will protect and never forsake those who put their trust in Him. Praise be to God my friends God is sovereign and faithful in all things…He is our divine protector, helper, and keeper.

Situations and circumstances may be quite daunting, but the Word of God reminds us that our hope is grounded and rooted in the power and truth of Almighty God, and He will never make us ashamed! “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5.

So, let us examine our own hearts… are we putting our faith into action? We sing, preach, pray, write and proclaim all that God has done and will do… are we really seeking Him first when our way is shadowed with darkness and we can’t see our way through- or running to the little “kings” in our lives to work it out–who are we really trusting to come to our aide and-where does our hope lie- will we fall humbly before His throne for guidance and remain faithful witnesses to the King of kings? David gives us the answer in Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” We can depend on God!

God blessings of peace and grace to us all.