A daily devotional based on the New Living Translation view online July 10, 2014 Prayer and Fasting Ezra 8:15-36 Read So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, who were leaders of the people. I also sent for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of discernment. I sent them to Iddo, the leader of the Levites at Casiphia, to ask him and his relatives and the Temple servants to send us ministers for the Temple of God at Jerusalem. Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they sent us a man named Sherebiah, along with eighteen of his sons and brothers. He was a very astute man and a descendant of Mahli, who was a descendant of Levi son of Israel. They also sent Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and twenty of his sons and brothers, and 220 Temple servants. The Temple servants were assistants to the Levites—a group of Temple workers first instituted by King David and his officials. They were all listed by name. And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, Our Gods hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him. So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. (Ezra 8:16-23) Reflect Ezra knew Gods promises to protect his people, but he didnt take them for granted. He also knew that Gods blessings are appropriated through prayer, so Ezra and the people humbled themselves by fasting and praying. And their prayers were answered. Fasting humbled them because going without food was a reminder of their complete dependence on God. Fasting also gave them more time to pray and meditate on God. Respond Too often we pray glibly and superficially. Serious prayer, by contrast, requires concentration. It puts us in touch with Gods will and can really change us. Without serious prayer, we reduce God to a quick-service pharmacist with painkillers for our every ailment. Trademarks | Unsubscribe | Edit Profile 2014 © Tyndale House Publishers 351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream Illinois 60188
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 06:12:27 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015