The Hand of God
Notes
Transcript
The Hand of God
The Hand of God
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
Ezra is on the 4 month journey back to Jerusalem… he has a big task to perform -
* to bring order and worship back to a land that has been destroyed.
This was a day when many were ok with the current situation and were ok:
to stay in the land of captivity -
to remain separated from the the house of God
to worship in their own comfortable way - not God’s way...
Ezra had been given the:
Rights
Resources and
Reasonable opportunity to change the status quo...
The job being undertaken was one that could not have been accomplished in the strength of man...
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The Lord said it… “…for without me, ye can do NOTHING”
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
As Ezra was a part of this impossible task...
If we could interview him...
I am sure he would share the secret of the success he was able to enjoy… not that all the journey was enjoyable or without struggle and losses...
He would humbly share the source of the strength and success -
God’s good hand was upon them...
vs. 18 - “and by the good hand of our God upon us...”
6 times in Ezra 7 & 8 we find “the hand of God”… it is by the Lord’s hand that we can see anything accomplished that will outlast us...
THE HAND OF GOD
THE HAND OF GOD
The Hand of God:
For Good
22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
Seek
Forsake
Ezra did not seek for governmental protection - he looked to His God -
We have a local and federal government who endeavor to provide protection for person, property and freedoms - but they are not only limited, they are human...
we can see by the news the anarchy that is prevailing -
perceptions of individuals on different sides - causing / inflaming division and divisiveness
Artaxerxes was not the savior of Ezra -
he was a tool
he was a help - but Ezra was quick to stand up for his faith in his God -
God would protect those that sought him
God would punish those that rejected him
The Hand of God:
FOR GOOD
For Guidance
17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
18 And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
vs 18 is a verse I have been holding onto and asking God to give to His people -
Pastors
Preachers
The shepherds of the flock
The spiritual leaders of the churches -
We need UNDERSTANDING...
wisdom and understanding come from the Lord -
As I communicate with preachers across the country - I have found myself being asked questions of what and how to do things - (I need understanding)
I ask questions - men who have been leading and have proven themselves to be spirit led - I ask questions...
I need understanding...
Here - Ezra - the leader was seeking spiritual guidance and was thankful for the spiritual leadership that the “good hand of God had provided”
We all need spiritual direction:
I need it
you need it
your children need it...
How do we get it?
where do we get it?
why do we get it?
The good hand of God...
It is by His goodness -
His graciousness
His mercy - it is not man made...
it isn’t conjured up -
it isn’t manipulated - it is God given...
Our Country needs to see a people who are led and who recognize the leading and guiding of -
The hand of God...
The Hand of God:
FOR GOOD
FOR GUIDANCE
3. For a Guardian
31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
who is it that we are trusting for our protection?
Is it the government
is it the police
protection from physical harm
is it a vaccine?
is it a mask
is it gloves
is it social distancing?
is it the local health official - Dr. Luu
Is it the CDC
Is it your doctor?
I think we should use wisdom and discretion, but if it is the Lord’s plan for us to get a disease and suffer and die -
WHO, the CDC, Dr. LUU, Dr. Phil and Mayo clinic could not stop it...
If you are vulnerable and have health issues - you always need to be careful - but
we have a guardian!!!
we have a protector!!!
The Hand of God...
It was evidenced in Ezra’s day...
It was eluded to -
He recognized God’s place in his every day life...
The Hand of God...
more than ever - we as christians need to be proclaiming and living by faith in
THE HAND OF GOD...