The God Who Works Things Out
Tomorrow I begin my first official outpatient therapy session at Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. I am approved for 20 visits of physical and occupational therapy. I hope to see some steady improvement and develop the skills that I need to become more independent and to get stronger through my own workouts.
I did feel more energy today and so went out on another wheelchair “run”. I navigated just over a mile in less than 25 minutes. I felt like I am getting a better handle on managing the wheelchair with all the challenges of grades that make it difficult to keep going straight. For now I am trying to avoid the significant uphill routes.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I was ashamed to ask the king for an armed escort with cavalry to help us against an enemy attack on the way. We had already told the king, “Our God works things out for the good of everyone who dedicates his life to serving him, but his power and his anger oppose everyone who abandons him.” So we fasted and asked our God for a safe journey, and he answered our prayer.”  Ezra 8:22,23(GW)
Ezra the priest was leading the people of Israel in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. This is an amazing account of how God worked in the hearts of Kings and rulers to initiate this process. There were some challenges along the way, opposition stopped the work for a time; but now Ezra the Temple is completed and a group of the exiles are traveling back to Jerusalem armed with the treasures from the temple taken to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem.
King Artaxerxes, had released the people of Jerusalem to return to the city. He undoubtedly had heard of the miracles the God of heaven performed for Daniel and his companions who served previous kings. The King had offered Ezra whatever he needed. Certainly traveling with the gold and utensils for the Temple made this group vulnerable to be raided by bandits and thieves. However, Ezra felt that this was the time to trust the Lord’s protection as they made the trip and refused to ask for help and was even “ashamed” to do so.
So, Ezra and the people fasted and prayed for a safe journey and God answered their prayers. God was guiding us, and he rescued us from our enemies and from ambushes along the way. (v.31) The people arrived safely and began their work of worship to the Lord and addressing the sin of intermarriage with idolatrous people among the returning exiles.
As Ezra began this effort and was receiving favor from the King he made this statement about this challenging process. “I was encouraged because the Lord my God was guiding me”. (Ezra 7:28) There is no confidence builder greater than know that the Lord is with you and providing the wisdom and favor that is needed. Ezra’s confidence was not in his ability, but in recognizing God’s favor on His people and believing God to work on their behalf.
Ezra’s statement to the King, “Our God works things out for the good of everyone who dedicates his life to serving him”, reminds me of Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 “all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”
If there is one thing we observe in the history of God’s people is that dedication to serving the Lord resulted in protection, favor and blessing from the Lord. When God’s people became impatient and were drawn away by the other nations around and their devotion to God waned, they began to experience defeat and hardship.
We see that serving the Lord wholeheartedly brings a confidence that God is directing our steps and helping us to accomplish the good purposes He has for our lives. As we see in Ezra’s life that requires consistent obedience and seeking Him.