“Then I proclaimed a fast there…that we might humble ourselves before our God… So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty…The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy.” (Ezra 8:21, 23, 31b)
How would my life be different and how much more would I bring glory to my God if I did not operate with a ‘plan B’ in mind?
Ezra was leading God’s people out of exile back to Jerusalem to rebuild their lives in their homeland. It would be hundreds of miles and weeks of travel with thousands of people through terrain where they could be ambushed along the way. They had their precious children in tow along with gold, silver, and bronze that could be stolen. Ezra had previously boasted about their mighty God saying, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who abandon him.” (8:22) This humble leader made a courageous choice. He did not ask for “infantry and calvary” for protection. Instead, he boldly called for the people to fast and pray, humbling themselves before their God in total dependence. They were wholly dependent on the Lord’s mighty hand of protection on their journey. They did not have a “plan B” in place.
As a result of their humility, their prayers, and their steps of faith, they had the awesome opportunity to witness firsthand the protection from their Lord. They safely arrived in Jerusalem untouched by their enemies. They had a fresh faith story that magnified the name of their God because they were willing to step out in faith and trust Him to care for them along the way.
We live in perilous times. We feel vulnerable to the powers ruling the world right now and as Christ followers, we are grieved by so many of the decisions and their ramifications for us and for our children. We need protection and provision! What are we to do? Do we pile up our own personal resources and develop a plan to protect ourselves and hope for the best realizing that no matter how hard we try, we will still be vulnerable because so much in life is outside of our control? Are we to sit and wring our hands and fret incessantly planning and plotting what we might do for our offensive and defensive moves? While it is not wrong to plan and prepare, in fact it is wise to do so, it is a grave mistake to take our God out of the equation and have the distorted view that we can do anything apart from His power and provision. That is utter foolishness.
What would happen if we actually listened to the Word of God and followed His lead? What if we operated in faith rather than fear?
On Sunday, our pastor asked us to take time to fast and pray this week about our own lives, taking a spiritual inventory of where we stand in our walk with the Lord and to pray for the Lord to continue to provide for His people in our ever-growing fellowship. I wonder what might happen if our people actually took the time to humble themselves, fast, pray, and walk in obedience to whatever the Lord led them to do next? What miracles might we see? What if we, when we heard the Word of God proclaimed, implemented what we heard that very day… that very week? What if we didn’t forget what we heard when we walked out the foyer doors? What if we stepped out in faith, wide-eyed with anticipation believing He would meet our needs according to His riches, power, and love? What would happen if God’s people cried out to Him in total dependence and waited for Him to work?
Lord, will you help me set aside a few mealtimes this week and rather than eat, I can spend that time talking to you, reading your Word, and listening for your leadership in my life? Father, will you help me to stop relying on my own understanding and what I can see with my own eyes and instead humble myself before you declaring my total dependence? Will you open my eyes to the plan B’s in my own life where I am depending on anyone anything other than You? Lord, will you do miracles in my life so that others may see you through those circumstances? Lord, will you help me to truly consider and implement the challenge my pastor, my shepherd, gives me every week and move forward in my faith journey? Give me a heart willing to seek You and trust You, LORD! You are faithful!
A Few Scriptures to consider while fasting: Psalm 51, Matthew 4:4, Psalm 16, Psalm 31:4-5, Psalm 33:20-21, Matthew 6:9-15, 19-23, 31-34, Psalm 33:20-21, Psalm 34:8, Romans 12:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:1-7, Romans 12:1-3, Galatians 5:13-16, Colossians 3:1-17, Habakkuk 3:17-19, Deuteronomy 8, Psalm 27:13-14, Psalm 31:4-5
Consider reading these aloud and talking to God about the truths. Write some of the verses down and see what else God may show you as you meditate on each truth. Ask the Lord to lead you and trust Him to show up and provide as only a good, good Father would!
–Many thoughts here echo Michael Gabbert’s message at Evergreen Baptist Church on November 12, 2023. That message can be seen on their You Tube channel–
Great Word! Thank you for sharing!