In the book of Ezra, Ezra, “proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-three of Ezra, Ezra said, “we fasted and besought our God for this” where we read,
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
The verse reads, “So we fasted and besought our God for this:” Ezra began with the words, “so we fasted” which means “wherefore, therefore, then and on this account we, Ezra, the chief men and the Nethinims, abstained from food or drink” “and besought our God” or “and searched for, required, exacted and requested from our, Ezra, the chief men and the Nethinims', Supreme Deity” “for this” which means “for protection and goodness from Him”. Ezra shared how he, the chief men and the Nethinims searched for their Supreme Deity on behalf of the protection and provision they needed.
The verse continues, “and he was intreated of us.” Ezra added the words, “and he” or “and he, Jehovah God the Supreme Deity” “was intreated for us” which means “responded and answered us, Ezra, the chief men and the Nethinims”. Ezra shared how Jehovah God answered him, the chief men and the Nethinims.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how he, the chief men and the Nethinims observed the “fast” in the presence of Jehovah God, and God observed and responded to them. God wants to be first in our lives because when He is primary, all our other needs will be supplied. (See Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:29) God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to fast and pray to Him any time we have need of His protection and provision.
Next time Ezra says, “I separated twelve of the chief of the priests”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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