SWHW Bible Reading Plan: September 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Malinda Fuller:

Imagine having a 1,000-mile journey ahead of you.

There are no motorized vehicles available, and you're responsible for a group of 50,000 people, plus herds of animals numbering in the thousands. You're also carrying a king's ransom worth of gold, silver, and other precious metals. 

The best part? The land you're about to journey through is teeming with bandits and robbers who make their living stealing from caravans like the one you're leading--and you have no escort service to provide safety.

This is the weight of Ezra's predicament. And the worst part, he's already told the king he won't need the protection of soldiers. 

This story may read as a lesson in what not to do as a leader. Perhaps we could develop a better plan of action: step one, count the people and know what you're responsible for; step two, count the treasure before saying "no," to the escorts offered. 

Ezra does neither. And while it may seem crazy, I believe it speaks of his character and faith:

"I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, ‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him’" Ezra 8:22.

The hand of God is on everyone who looks to Him.

Not just the leaders. 

Not only those who "get it all right.”

He doesn't stipulate that God is gracious, "when He's having a good day," or "when God feels like it," or "when we deserve it." 

There are no disclaimers.

Ezra says, "Everyone," and he means it.

His simple faith is so bold.

And, it's a nice thought. 

It sounds like something we believe, pray for, and plaster on our walls, coffee mugs, and journal covers. Like Ezra, we boldly quote such phrases, but what do we do after the proclamation? When faced with the reality of our situation, do we still stand behind our declaration?

Even with the threat of thieves, Ezra stood in the king’s presence, waving away the offer of protection for the return to Jerusalem. He spoke the words before counting the families. Ezra is not only unaware of the number of people he's escorting; he has no clue how much gold and silver they will be transporting.

So, once he's counted heads, what's the next move? 

What would you do? 

Do you hire bodyguards? Do you hang your head in shame and return to the king with a plea? Do you curl up in the fetal position and wait for the inevitable? Do you run away? 

Or, do you pray? That was Ezra's response:

"I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions" Ezra 8:21 verse 21.

Fast and pray? Ask others to join us? 

Is that our first response? 

What if, rather than consulting the experts, reading books, and asking friends and mentors for advice, we started on our knees in prayer--assuming the posture of humility like Ezra? What if we not only touted the feel-good liners but went into our times of prayer with the belief that God will hear us and respond?

"So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer" Ezra 8:23.

We fasted and asked God, and He answered. It seems too simple. But wait. God didn't just respond; He did precisely what they asked:

"The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way" Ezra 8:31.

What if we could move beyond telling the world about the goodness of God and showcase it for them? What if, instead of touting the slogans or quoting verses about what God can do, our lives were a living exhibition of what He is doing?

Instead of prayer being the final response to a dire situation, let's be people who live as though God is our first line of defense--not a doctor, or a coach, or a therapist, or a pastor, but God.

Father, thank You for hearing me and responding. Thank You for being gracious toward me, regardless of what I've done. You are my Protector, and I'm so thankful for Your goodness and love. I want You to be my first line of defense, not the last-ditch effort. May prayer be my lifeline that I throw out all day long, not just when I need it most. I want my life to show others that faith isn't just speaking words, but walking them out--even in the middle of difficult circumstances.  Amen.