Title: Say It and Pray It/ Topic: Commitment

Today’s Reading: Ezra 7; Ezra 8; Luke 20

Scripture: Ezra 8:21-23
21 There, by the Ahava Canal, 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. 22 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." 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Observation: Ezra had made a bold claim to the king based on his faith in God. But before taking a long journey carrying lots of gold and silver with no military protection, he had all the people fast and pray so that the boast he made to the king about God's ability to protect would be reality.

Application: We need to make bold declarations based on the truth of God's Word. It encourages others to believe. Sometimes we are afraid to do so because of past experiences where God has not come through as we thought he would. Sometimes we don't make bold declarations because we've never had any experience at all and just doubt that God would act on our behalf. Whatever the reason, we need to grow by making the declarations BUT we need to add in the step that Ezra took; fasting and prayer. Ezra and his crew took 10 days to do nothing but seek God for protection through prayer and fasting. Are we that committed to seeing God do wonders on our behalf? Does demonstrating the blessings and work of God to non-believers in order to help win them to Jesus matter enough for us to take that kind of time to seek God ourselves?

Prayer: Oh Father, we are much too busy if we are too busy to seek you this way. I confess, I am. Forgive me and help me to seek you until you work miracles and wonders on our behalf; not only for our benefit but for the benefit of others also. May we show the world your glory and testify to your great works.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.