Verse of the day: For I was ashamed to ask the king for an army and horsemen to defend us from the enemy on the way, for we had already said to him, The good hand of our God is upon all who seek him, for his good; but his strength and anger against all who abandon him (Ezra 8. 22)
An armed regiment would have been desirable to the Pilgrims, but holy shyness did not allow Ezra to seek it out. He was afraid that the heathen king would think his confession of faith was hypocritical; or that he imagined that he was not the God of Israel capable of preserving his own worshipers. Ezra could not depend on weapons of flesh on an issue that so obviously belonged to God. Therefore, the caravan continued without any visible protection, guarded by the One who is the sword and shield of his people. It is to be feared that few believers feel this holy zeal for their God. Even those who to some extent walk by faith sometimes tarnish the brightness of their lives by yearning for human help. It is a blessed attitude to stand firm on the Rock of Ages, without buttresses, sustained only by the Lord. Would a believer seek state donations for his church if he remembered that the Lord is dishonored by this attitude? Can’t the Lord meet the needs of his own cause? Could we run to our friends and family for help if we remember that the Lord magnifies Himself by implicitly trusting His arm alone? Oh my soul, wait only for God. Someone might say, “But shouldn’t we use other sources?” Certainly. However, our mistake is rarely to overlook these sources. Very often, our mistake comes from naively believing in these resources, rather than believing in God. Few go so far as to neglect the creature’s arm, but many sin a great deal by abusing it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by not risking other means, if by using them you dishonor the Lord’s name.