The Hand of God

Ezra 8:18, 22, 31

Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they went us a man named Sherebiah, …

"Our God's hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.

And the gracious hand of our God protected us and saved us from enemies and bandits along the way. So we arrived safely…

Wow, God's hand gracious hand protected the people, so they arrived safely. Picture it in your head the people were returning with 24 tons of silver…not a couple of bracelets, necklaces, nope 24 tons. Add to that 7500 pounds of silver articles, 7500 pounds of gold, gold bowls, bronze with people that had no soldiers or horsemen to accompany them. No protection just people returning home with their belongings surrounded by people that didn't like them much. But they arrived home safely!

God punished them and now He was protecting them.

Ponder on this image and be filled to the brim with God's love for us. He disciplines us, but He loves us. I picture these people wandering home with all of these treasures and they are safe…God is indeed good! I also found it interesting that not one volunteer Levite showed up. Ezra had to send for one. What is that all about? Well, according to a commentary, none were simply Levites. He found priests and sons of Levites that were not priests. So this is what he faced.

Here are 1000's of men, women, and children that were not use to traveling, had no discipline, no army strength across a desert for months and the original words meaning God snatched them away, delivered, and they had marvelous health and security on the journey. This safe trip is one of the most astonishing facts ever accomplished!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

 

Prayer for the weekend: We will begin to pray for other countries and their concerns. The days of September 18-19 we are to pray for Poland. Pray for the young people that thought instant wealth was coming from capitalism. The violence, crime, and immorality are on the rise.

Pray for training among the leaders of church. Pray for Christianity to grow throughout the country.

We will begin to pray for another country and its needs according to Operation World starting this weekend!