Contemplative Bible Reading

Ezra 8:21-22 (New Living Translation)

21 And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.”

Ezra and his group were about to begin a long, difficult, and dangerous journey. (When was the last time I took a dangerous journey? How about never.) Ezra could have requested and been granted a large military escort. He was embarrassed to do so. God would guide and protect them during their travels.

Was Ezra tempting God? Was Ezra speaking for God out of turn, assuming authority he didn’t possess? God’s hand of protection was on them.

Missionaries die. Evangelists die. They are intercepted, beaten, robbed, and killed. It happens and will continue to happen.

Still, Ezra was confident that on this occasion, on this journey, at this time, God would protect them. The group humbled itself and through itself on the mercy of God through prayer and fasting.

They could have all died on this trip. God, however, gave them safe passage. God, this time, used their perilous but safe journey as a message to others.

I wish I could predict when God would do these things. If I could, however, then I wouldn’t have any faith, i.e., I would be believing in only the things I see, not the unseen. Please God, help my in my unbelief.