Bold and Visible

10.07.11

 8.22-23 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. NIV

I so appreciate the honesty of the Scripture and the journey of Ezra to Jerusalem is just one of the examples of that honesty. Ezra boasted of the Lord to king Artaxerxes. He told the king that they would be safe under God’s mighty hand and there would be no need for the protection of soldiers for the journey. I’m sure the king raised an eyebrow but Ezra had spoken so confidently that he was convinced.

But for Ezra to appear to have second thoughts shows me that he was honest. He said he was ashamed to ask because he knew he’d already boasted to the king. Maybe he second thought that a soldier or two might not be such a bad idea. But he was hemmed in by his words and knew that if he came back to the king and made such a request that the king might think: So now where is Ezra’s God?

Sometimes we just have to take the step and trust God that He is already there. Sometimes we have to take a stand and know that God is already standing with us. God knows what is at stake. God knew His people would have the support of the Median/Persian kings for a season. But God doesn’t need the support of the kings; He is quite capable of being who He is without man’s approval. And His love for His people is far greater than any of their boasts.

Here’s what I think it is: God loves to hear our voices; He loves to hear our prayers and petitions. God loves to be included in the conversation because God loves. And God loves to come through on behalf of His children. The journey to Jerusalem without “police protection” might’ve been foolhardy to some but God loves to show the naysayer he’s missing out on the greatest pleasures in life. Ezra was truly honest about his fears and God loves it when we’re honest. God is faithful because He cannot deny Himself. And God is faithful to those who come in faith and ask Him to meet their needs trusting, and perhaps boasting, that He will.

If Ezra’s faith was strengthened as the caliber of godly man he was, just think of the people around Ezra who were strengthened by his faith and the providence of God! It was a total win/win. There will always be those who doubt but there also will always be those who come up believing. And that is what life is all about: believing in God to come through even when we’ve put ourselves on the line, and our successes will only come by His hand. After all, what is faith if it isn’t, at some point, bold and visible to others? The king saw Ezra’s faith and so did the people around him. If Ezra did have second thoughts, he wisely petitioned God to be God and come through on their behalf – after all Lord, aren’t You sending us to Jerusalem?

To me the bottom line is what Ezra’s actions did to others and for others, as a result. I want my faith to be like his…