THE HAND OF OUR GOD UPON US

© 2023 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Ezra was a direct descendent of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and chief priest of Israel.  Israel had been taken captive by pagan Persians.  During years of captivity, Ezra had faithfully served Artaxerxes, King of Persia.  The Lord then moved the heart of Artaxerxes to send Ezra and volunteer Israelites to go rebuild the ruins of Jerusalem.

Artaxerxes delivered to Ezra the silver and gold vessels of the temple confiscated years earlier by the Persians.  He also gave additional assets to Ezra for use in this very expensive project.

Travelling with all this wealth, the way was arduous and many enemies of the captive Jews stood ready to attack and recapture these assets.  Humanly speaking, it seemed impossible that God would move the heart of a pagan king to finance and help the Lord’s people in this way.  Ezra, however, understood why everything seemed to be working out in such an impossible manner.  He said,

“Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:  And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.” (Ezra 7:27-28)

Ezra’s reference to the hand of his God being upon him occurs repeatedly throughout this passage.  He understood that it was the hand of the Lord overcoming all obstacles.

Those of us, who are Christians, have trusted the Lord to forgive our sins and save us.  Even our faith is due to the hand of the Lord upon us.  It’s easy for us to take credit for success but, in actuality, everything we accomplish for Him is due to His infinite hand upon us.  Even those things which seem detrimental to our work for Him, are under His control.  Scripture reminds us of this.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28-31)

As “Thanksgiving Day” approaches, are those of us who are Christians thankful for the good hand of our God upon us?