Ezra 8:22: “For I [Ezra] was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, ‘The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.'”

October 31st, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

As Ezra prepared to make the journey back to the Promised Land, he made a bold stand before the king, witnessing to him of God’s goodness and protection toward His children. That was a good thing, but after doing so, he couldn’t bring himself to ask the king for a military escort to Jerusalem, even though they were traveling more than 800 miles, carrying gold and other valuables. Ezra had painted himself into a corner; he had to trust in God’s hand alone for protection. That is never a bad position for us to put ourselves in since God longs for us to trust Him.

It is important for us to consider that every person on the planet is under the hand of God, regardless of what their relationship is with Him, whether they are seeking Him or forsaking Him. Ezra says here that God’s hand has one of two impacts: it is either “for good [on those] who seek Him” or it is “against all those who forsake Him.” The hand of God for good or the hand of God for correction; to seek Him or forsake Him, that is the question we are faced with. Which one will we choose? What is our relationship with Him? The key is simply to be constantly seeking Him. He promises us that if we seek Him, He will be found; if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. God’s hand of blessing for good is poised and waiting to bless our lives today. Choose to seek Him.

“LORD, we seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways.”