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Ezra 8

Good Morning “Believers that God Can, and Will.”  Today we are in Ezra 8.

For 3 days Ezra pauses at the canal and considers the journey back to Jerusalem, he knew just how dangerous the journey was.  So… where does he start?  Humility, prayer, fasting.

“There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.” Ezra 8:21

For a moment, it seems, he considers asking the king for protection and help, but reminds himself that they serve a faithful God.  Furthermore, he remembers that he proclaimed Gods faithfulness to the king.  Now it’s time to put his faith the test.  Talk’s cheap without action.  He can’t ask the king for help,  because he’s already told the king God would protect them.  

“”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.”” Ezra‬ ‭8‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How easy it is to proclaim the Lord’s greatness and sing of His might, but when trials test our faithful proclamations… how often do we seek shelter in the World? There’s no demonstration of faith in that - but only lack of it.  Why would observers want a God that can’t be trusted to come through when it matters?  We have to model something different.

Mark speaks to that very thing.  
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

That’s not a “Name it and Claim it” “Prosperity Gospel” proclamation, as has been twisted… but rather a simple statement that we must believe when God says it, that settles it!  He is faithful to His promises (John 15:7-8).

Like Ezra, we must READ God’s Word, BELIEVE it, LIVE it, and BOLDLY PROCLAIM it - For from hearing / obeying The Word comes Faith!  

Love you all!  Dig in!