God’s Hand of Protection
Ezra 8:21-23(NLT) 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 God’s 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.
Introduction: We thank God for the opportunity given to us seeing first month of the New year coming to an end. The Grace of God has kept us thus far from dangers despite insecurities and kidnapping pandemic from the beginning of the year. It can only be Holy Spirit whose Hands hold us away from dangers because Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
Ezra, gathered some Israelites from captivity in Babylon to take a journey to Jerusalem the city of God. Likewise, through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we are being led towards the promised land from Babylon (world) as we take our journey towards the dwelling place of the Most High.
Babylon signifies the Earth that we are leaving full of evil. Only a fool will want to be victim of evil in this world.
Revelation 17:4-5 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
This world is full of mystery and abominations where ritualists, fraudsters, accidents, insurgencies, kidnappers and all forms of evil exist.
Therefore, as we continue our journey towards God’s promised land in 2024, we must seek God’s Hand of protection for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
From Babylon to Jerusalem, there were enemies along the way; as we also have kidnappers, robbers, ritualists, one-chance, fraudsters and many evil doers along the way.
Ezra could not ask king of Babylon to provide security against enemies because he had boasted in the God of Israel. Likewise, as Christians, we boast of God’s protection as our Shepherd.
Ezra 8:22(NLT) 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 God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.”
❓Why are we not ashamed to seek for security from earthly king?
Some years ago during incessant robbery, even during vigils in church, robbers came in to rob Christians. Ministers suggested that we should employ OPC as security. Even in ministry, pastors employ unbelievers as security using satanic powers for protection despite boasting that God is the Shepherd.
Ezra said; 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 God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.”
I can see why we are nothing before Satan and his cohorts. God’s anger is against those who abandon Him.
❓Can we depend solely on God’s Hands of protection as we face insecurity as a nation? Ezra said; So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.
🛑 Before we seek God’s Hands of protection for us and our family as we continue this new year amidst uncertainties, there is need to be sure there is no Babylonian among us.
Babylonians are sinners and prayers of sinners are abominations unto God. Precious things of the Earth make Christians to join in the abominations of the earth, they grow fat and abandon faith in God.
Deuteronomy 32:15-16 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness ; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
God is still the same yesterday, today and forever. He is a promise keeper whose word is ye and Amen.
In the midst of insurgencies, The Lord will be our Shield and in economic crisis, He will Lift up our heads.
Psalms 3:3(AMP) But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Brethren, once we run away from Babylonian enticement, we should not be afraid of any insecurity, plagues of any kind, because our God will take care of us as He hears the prayers of the righteous.
Psalms 23:4(NLT) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
🙏 The Hands of God will keep you and your family in Jesus name.
✋ Maranatha.
