Because the Hand of God is on me; He gives me the courage I need.The life of Ezra.
Updated: May 11, 2019
Where does the source of our help come from when we feel limited? Where do you muster up the strength in taking the next step forward when there is considerable opposition forming against you? We need moments like this in life to help us trust God. Without moments of uncertainty, how can we truly rely on God to provide? Ezra was an influential man who gave credit to God for his success by the courage that was given to him to lead others to move; taking the next step forward.
I believe that God has prepared a Great calling unto our lives in preparing His Kingdom.
“The things I set before you are preparation for such callings. I have given you opportunities that would allow you to self reflect your attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, and desires.“ - God
Are you willing to take a leap of faith when open opportunities are presented or will you shriek back in fear? How willing are we to take risks that will cause us to move closer to Christ and further away from our own understanding? Sometimes doing God’s will, will require you to take risks.
Those moments you may feel limited to see a situation through remember that God‘s Power is not limited by your capabilities. We must understand our past, our circumstances, and our situations in life don’t mean you're limited to doing great things for His Kingdom. It is your determination of being self-discipline of learning God’s word, living His word and trusting His word as a response through our everyday actions.
“Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.”
Ezra 7:6 NKJV
The word “hand” means “yawd” indicating a supernatural power that provides means and direction. Its a divine strength given within to be able to take charge while seeing God’s power manifesting His will over our lives.
(Baker, W., & Zodhiates, S. 2008 p.1850)
Ezra came from a place where corruption and self-indulgence ran wild; he came from a place where he knew he didn't belong. Sometimes we find ourselves in places in life where we know God wants better for us and somewhere deep inside, you felt it too. Ezra didn’t allow his circumstances or his situation of where he was at to be the determining factor for his life. Deep inside he knew that he was placed for position to bring change. And God used Ezra to bring that change. Ezra’s blessings of favor that was given by man to make positive changes came from God because God saw his determination and his discipline of living a God-centered lifestyle.
The deeper we get into God’s word, the more He begins to change our hearts towards matters that move Him. These changes that God makes within us are continual preparations leading us in faithful actions of obedience. God moves the hearts of leaders by giving them the desire to take actions in doing His work. Therefore, God used a Babylonian King to send Ezra to lead groups of His people out of Babylon to Jerusalem and was appointed to teach them His word and restore worship.
Ezra understood the power of God’s right hand over him. He knew that wherever he was called to go, God would be with him and would meet him there. There were moments where he felt discouraged and defeated, but his faith in trusting God kept the desire, overpowering the negative. Ezra knew that if God sent him out to do His work, then it would be God to be the one to make a way even during challenging obstacles that appeared as setbacks. He knew that God’s power surpassed man’s capabilities. He knew that as long as he did his part, God would be faithful to provide substance that not only would be beneficial to him but to others that were placed before him.
When God calls you to a place of position to take action, take action with courage knowing that God’s right hand is upon you to get you through whatever has been set before you. Meaning, that when you take the initial step to say yes to God, step out in faith, believing that God will show up and provide the substance of resources that will meet the desired vision. This is the courage that sustains us to move forward with God.
“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’”
ISAIAH 41:10 AMP
I want to encourage you today; not to underestimate the significant impact your actions can have on others when God places His desires in your heart. Sometimes His leading will come in the form of gentle nudges and other times it will come in the form of righteous indignation. However, God chooses to stir your heart let the Holy Spirit order your steps. Take courage and trust that when God leads you to take the next step forward, His timing will be perfect.
Through your obedience, He can use you for His glory. So stand strong in the Lord when opposition tries to discourage you or distract you from doing His work. Remember, if God wills it, it will be done no matter if you have the resources to do it or not. Any time God leads us in action understand His right hand is upon those He calls to do His work, and we all have a calling. His right hand is over you.
References:
Baker, W., & Zodhiates, S. (2008). Old Testament Dictionary. In The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
Text2Pic. (2017, October 10). Retrieved from http://text2picapp.com.