Tag: protect

December 15 – By The Hand of God

“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.”” –  Ezra 8:22 (ESV)

Before the Southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered and taken captive, then exiled (for the most part) to Babylon and other Chaldean cities, Jeremiah had delivered God’s prophecy that it would happen. Jeremiah also delivered a prophecy  (Jeremiah 24:6) from God that He would bring them back to the land. Ezra was a scribe. Scribes were the theologians who studied the Law of Moses and was an authority of the same. When Cyrus became king of Persia, God motivates Cyrus to send exiled Jews back to Jerusalem. This happens in stages and it is action that fulfills God’s prophecy through Jeremiah. “in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, (Ezra 1:1)”  The journey to Jerusalem was be long and dangerous. Thieves who robbed for survival posed a threat to travelers. Caravans traveled with protection for safety. Ezra and the people had professed their trust in God for protection. Ezra did not want to confuse the king regarding their trust in God’s so they entreated God for safety with a prayerful fast. God honored their prayer of faith and gave His protection. God promises and God delivers on his promises.

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December 9 – Keeping Track

“The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.” – Psalm 121:7-8 (NASB)

It is good to remember often how much our God is involved in our lives. Our verse today reminds us of this truth. We sometimes are tempted to think that we come and go all on our own. And we may think that we are on the go so much that no one else could really keep track of all our coming and goings. And then for God to keep track of all His children in this world, is this really possible? Yes it is and that is what this verse says. It includes all God’s children all around the world and my friend, it includes each of us. Our God is watching over each of our lives and each of our movements and relationships. Whatever we are involved in and whatever our decisions and direction, God knows just were we are. That’s a promise of God. While this may seem to some to have a temporal role at first glance, there are indications that it looks beyond to eternal life for he protects us from all evil from now even until forever.

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December 9 – Keeping Track

“The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time and forever.” Psalm 121:7-8 (ESV)

Perhaps those who guard the correctness of our language might consider that ‘you’re’ is the correct word in verse 8. But it is your very own personal going out and coming in that is guarded by the Lord. It is good to remember how our God is involved in our lives. Our verse reminds us of this truth. We sometimes are tempted to think that we come and go all on our own. We don’t do much checking with others and God whether our going and coming is in line with His will, do we? And we may think that we are on the go so much that no one else could really keep track of all our coming and goings. And then, for God to keep track of all His children in this world, could this really be possible? Yes it is and that is what this verse says. It includes all God’s children in the world and, it includes each of us. Our God is watching over each of our lives and each of our movements and relationships. Whatever we are involved in and whatever our decisions, God knows just were we are. That’s a promise of God.

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