Title: Hand of God/Ezra 8:21-23
Contents Hand of God
▣Ezra 8:21-23
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When the southern people of Judah were living in captivity in Babylon, God heard the prayers they cried out to God, who were too tired and afflicted, and made them return from their captivity in Babylon. These are the things that happened in the poem. Now they are going to Jerusalem, the homeland they dreamed of. However, the road to go was very difficult and difficult. So Ezra prayed before God, and God inspired him. They proclaimed a fast on the banks of the Ahawa River, asking for a smooth way for themselves, for their children, and for all their possessions. God's response to this was that God's hand would be with them. No matter what circumstance we face in our lives today, I believe that if God's hand is with us, God will give us victory in all things. Then, we would like to share grace together while pondering what kind of hand this God's hand is.
First, it is the hand that helps the Lord's people.
“With the help of the good hand of our God” (Ezra 8:18), the hand of God helped them. They prayed because they had God's helping hand, and it was because of God's help that they prayed and received an answer. Not praying in difficult times is a disease. I hope that prayer will always become a daily life in all things. God is a great help to us in our tribulation.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1), and God sustains our lives.
"God is my helper. You are with those who hold my life." (Psalm 54:4) And God helps those who are tempted.
“Because he suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). When we pray to God, God helps us with his righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
Second, the hand that chooses the workers.
“They brought a man of understanding from among the children of Mali the son of Levi, the grandson of Israel, and Serebiah with his sons and eighteen brothers” (Ezra 8:18). 20 people, and in verse 20, 220 people were selected. God selects and gathers many workers. In John 15:16, it says, 'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.' God has chosen us to be used for His kingdom. While we are grateful for being chosen as God's servants, in order to fulfill this mission well, we must pray, be faithful, and fully devote ourselves to God. Now is the harvest time. God also chooses workers so that many souls will be saved (Acts 11:21). When the Lord's hand is together, many souls will believe in Jesus and turn to the Lord.
Third, it is the hand that pours out the Holy Spirit.
"Behold my servant whom I hold, my chosen one, with whom my heart rejoices. I have given him my god, and he will do justice to the Gentiles."
(Isa 42:1) The fact that the Holy Spirit of God has come is the proof that God is with us. If we experience the Holy Spirit in an instant, great works can be revealed. The Holy Spirit also works through the hands of God's servants.
“Then the two apostles laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
(Acts 8:17) Here, 'the two apostles' refer to Peter and John, and 'us' refers to the Samaritans. Even the Samaritans were given the fire of the Holy Spirit when the hand of the Lord was with them. Even now, God has promised to pour out the Holy Spirit like water. We have victory when we are led by the Holy Spirit.
Dear saints, In the name of Jesus, I pray that you will become victorious saints by helping the Lord's people by making prayer a daily life in all circumstances, choosing workers, and pouring out the Holy Spirit with God's hand.