Hand of the Lord

I took courage, for the hand of the LORD my God was on me.

Ezra 7:28

Ezra was a scribe who was sent by the king to assist in the rebuilding of the temple of God. Ezra fasted with the other returning Jews seeking a safe journey. His reasoning was recorded in Ezra 8:22 “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.’”

The hand of the Lord is a significant benefit for the followers of Jesus Christ. We recognize His hand that gives us strength when we feel weak, courage when we feel afraid, and joy when we feel sorrow. This hand of God also calls us to do things that we feel incapable or unqualified to do.

Ezra was a scribe and teacher of the word of God—not a general or leader in the sense of the conquest. Yet, God chose him for this great and essential fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy for the Jews to return to the Promised Land. The hand of God led and strengthened Ezra to complete the course of the journey.

The hand of the Lord is still present for us today. His hand guides us through the Spirit of God in the right direction of where we are supposed to go. Just like Ezra, we may need to pray and fast for God’s protection and leading us along the way. We, also will sense the refreshing power of courage when we lean more on Him than on anyone else. The hand of the Lord will draw us closer to him with every life direction.