Faith Over Fear

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

Hard days require simple faith. That’s a lesson we learn from Ezra when he led the second return from Babylon to Jerusalem. No doubt, during the period of the captivity, some 70 years, he and other Israelites rightly boasted of the works of Yahweh. They likely recounted his victory over pharaoh, Jericho, Dagon, and Goliath. And then came the day when, in a sense, God called upon Ezra to cash the check he had written. In other words, he required Ezra to step out in faith in this God about whom he’d boasted.

It reminds me of a scene from the TV show, Seinfeld where Jerry, the main character, went to pick up a rental car he had reserved. The company found the reservation, but they had no car! “Anyone can take a reservation,” Jerry said, “It’s the holding of the reservation that’s important.”  Likewise, anyone can say he has faith. Anyone can say he believes in the sovereignty of God. But, then, there come times in life where that faith is put to the test. In other words, do you really believe it, or are you just saying you do? Those are two different things.

When Ezra set out from Babylon, he knew there was danger ahead. He was about to set out with women and children over rough country. Should he take an armed caravan of soldiers along? Many of us would say, “Of course. That’s completely natural and logical.” Ezra, however, struggled. “I’ve boasted so much in the Lord’s protection over his people, what kind of testimony does that make if I don’t walk in that belief?”

So, instead of appealing to the little king, Ezra appealed to the King of kings. And, perhaps, uncertainly and haltingly, Ezra set out. He may have had some doubt, but he went forward anyway. His faith in the Lord may have been weak in that moment, but it was shown to be sincere faith because he acted on it! “The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way” (Ezra 8:31). He was saying with Job, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15). 

We live in days which require active faith. Many have said they trust in the Lord, but those words are now being put to the test. Let us respond, therefore, just as Ezra did, by seeking the LORD first, and then simply taking the next, right, faithful step of obedience.