February 14, 2011 - Ezra 8, What’s this boast now - ask later thing all about?
Ezra was ashamed to ask the king for protection along their journey because he boasted this, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” Ezra 8:22 (ESV)
Therefore, after he had gathered the people at the river he organized a fast to ask God to do what Ezra had said about Him. They implored God and He listened and answered those prayers.
I am not sure how to process this. Other than to say that God's character is always true to its description. But in some instances, He chooses not to answer prayer the way we want it, even if it is to boast about what He can do. Take healing for instance or protection from death. People don't always get healed and they still die at the hand of violent enemies. This leaves me with the realization that I don't know when or what to boast about God. I guess the things I know are ALWAYS true? Like if you believe that the only way to get to God is through Christ and that upon believing we become one of His family and get to go to heaven when we die. Or that nothing can separated us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. And that no matter how things look all things happen to the good of those who love Him and are who called according to His purpose.
One thing is certain, fasting is proven to be a great help when taking on a big obstacle. Each recorded fast (from righteous people) that I can think of off the top of my head, was either answered in the manner it was asked for or the person was at peace with the unanswered prayer because they knew it was God's answer and to be trusted. And speaking of trust, you should do a search of all the instances of that word in the bible, it is really interesting, and something to “hang your hat on.”
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)
I did a watercolor version of the last painting I shared. Then I turned it into a postcard.
Off The Beaten Path and then made into a postcard or greeting card
