An adage says, ‘you place emphasis on what is important’. In this Chapter, Ezra at different point made reference to ‘the hand of our God’.
They have received grace from the heathen king to go back to Jerusalem to build the house of God. He did not take the assignment for granted but saw that they could only achieve the goal when the hand of their God is with them.
How did he see the hand of their God?
Verse 18 – It is the Good hand that was upon them. This means there can be the other side to the hand of God, which he pointed out in the latter part of verse 22- ‘His power and wrath is against them that forsake Him’ – that is the other side of the hand of God.
But for Ezra, he made bold to claim the good hand of their God. The hand is available to provide for all necessities- personnel needed – a man of understanding. The hand of God brings guidance to know what is right to do; protection against any form of attack- verses 21 and 31. Even the hand is personalised -‘our God’.
In our daily life, how do we see the hand of God? When things are not pleasant do we rely on that hand or we seek elsewhere?
Let us look at few scripture on what the hand of God stands for:
Ezekiel 37:1 -The hand of the Lord makes someone to possibility in impossibility.
Acts 4:30 – The hand of brings healing and wrought miracles.
Ezra 7:6 & 28; Neh. 2:8 – The hand of the Lord brings favour into one’s life even from people in authority.
Ezra 7: 8 – The hand of the Lord brings protection and safety.
What else does man needs that the good, gracious hand of God cannot supply? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!!!
All it takes is absolutely trust in Him. He has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, Amen.
Do you have relationship with Him? Can you boldly say, ‘my God’?
SHALOM