09/16/22 Finding Our Strength in Him

READING: Ezra 4:7-23, Ezra 7:1-8:36

When God is with us, that’s all that matters. We can face anything life throws at us—including death—when we know our Creator is our Redeemer who indwells us through His Spirit. 

Today’s reading in the book of Ezra resounds with God’s presence and blessing on His people as they made their way out of exile and back to Jerusalem. In each of these verses, I have highlighted this point with italics:

  • “The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of the Lord his God was on him.” (Ezra 7:6)
  • “He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month since the gracious hand of his God was on him.” (Ezra 7:9)
  • “And you, Ezra, according to God’s wisdom that you possess, appoint magistrates and judges . . . .” (Ezra 7:25)
  • “Blessed be the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s mind to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem,and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by the hand of the Lord my God, and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.” (Ezra 7:27-28)
  • “. . . the gracious hand of our God was on us” (Ezra 8:18)
  • “So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and he was receptive to our prayer.” (Ezra 8:23)
  • “We were strengthened by our God, and he kept us from the grasp of the enemy and from ambush along the way.” (Ezra 8:31)

This same God is with us, and He will not leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5). So, we need not fear anything that comes our way today.  

PERSONAL REFLECTION: What most keeps you from trusting God’s presence today?  

DAILY PRAYER: “God, strengthen me by Your hand today. Be receptive to my prayers.” 

TOMORROW’S READING: Ezra 9:1-10:44, Nehemiah 1:1-2:20

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