Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “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.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
Ezra 8:21-23
Lord, this is what faith looks like – knowing Your Word and trusting in You, Your ability and Your willingness to manifest it in my life, while coming up against the challenges of life, which put my faith to the test, and calling upon You fervently to manifest that same Word in my life in the moment. In short, it is a, “God said it, I believe it, now I’m asking” moment. Sprinkled in there is a little fear, knowing that if You don’t do it, it can’t happen. But also there’s a little pride, knowing that I now have to “put my money where my mouth is.” I’ve been talking about my trust in You. Now I have to demonstrate to others and to myself that I truly do.
That is why I love these verses today. Everything that is human in me is manifested in those words. How many times have I proclaimed You were going to do something but have had no idea of how You would accomplish it? And because of this bold statement, I have had to put callouses on my knees praying for You to show up? How many times have I had to encourage myself in the midst of failure by reminding myself of Who You are and what You have promised, though all of the outside factors appear to go against it? How many times have I put myself out there, proclaiming what I believe You were capable of doing, trusting in You by faith, and finding myself in a place where I have to put my faith where my mouth is?
Lord, my soul rejoices today for those trying times that You have used to teach me that prayer works, reminding me that You are listening, encouraging me to trust You by faith. Thank You for the fears that well up within me as I am faced with having to contend with the matters at hand, fears that cause me to not trust in myself but to place my trust in You. Thank You for showing me through answered prayers that prayer works, that You hear the cries of Your people, and that You are always just a prayer away. Thank You for teaching me daily that it is not enough to know Your Word; I have to know You and continually pursue fellowship with You. Therein lies the victory for me. There I find peace. And there I see You making a way. Thank You for this awesome love! Thank You for calling me Your own! Amen!