Ezr 8:21, THEN I PROCLAIMED A FAST THERE AT THE RIVER OF AHAVA, THAT WE MIGHT HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE OUR GOD, TO SEEK FROM HIM THE RIGHT WAY FOR US AND OUR LITTLE ONES AND ALL OUR POSSESSIONS.
Ezra, was about to leave Babylon on their way to Jerusalem, and they humbled themselves before the LORD. They had their children they had gold and silver for the temple, but the way back home was dangerous!
Ezr 8:22 FOR I WAS ASHAMED TO REQUEST OF THE KING AN ESCORT OF SOLDIERS AND HORSEMEN TO HELP US AGAINST THE ENEMY ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE WE HAD SPOKEN TO THE KING, SAYING, “THE HAND OF OUR GOD IS UPON ALL THOSE FOR GOOD WHO SEEK HIM, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”
With great confidence Ezra told the king “OUR GOD WILL PROTECT US”, YET ASKING FOR AN ESCORT WOULD CONTRADICT HIS WORDS!
TODAY, AS WE COME BACK TO THE HOUSE OF GOD; HOW CAN WE FEAR THE VIRUS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROCLAIM THE STRENGTH OF OUR GOD? THIS IS A CONTRADICTION OF OUR FAITH IN THE LIVING GOD! HE SAYS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, DO NOT BE AFRAID!
Isa 41:10, DON’T BE AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU. DON’T BE DISCOURAGED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU. I WILL HOLD YOU UP WITH MY VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND.
BEING AFRAID IS NORMAL, BUT STILL ILLOGICAL IF YOU KNOW WHO IS WITH YOU!
Psa 56:3, BUT WHEN I AM AFRAID, I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN YOU.
Ezr 8:23, SO WE FASTED AND EARNESTLY PRAYED THAT OUR GOD WOULD TAKE CARE OF US, AND HE HEARD OUR PRAYER.
EZRA WITH THE PEOPLE SOUGHT THE LORD IN PRAYER ASKING FOR HELP AND HE HEARD THEIR CRY!
Mar 9:23-24, Jesus said to him, “IF YOU CAN BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM WHO BELIEVES.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “LORD, I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!”