Morning By Morning #268

I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”

Ezra 8:22

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

A security entourage would be a desirable thing for some travelers, but a holy concern of being shamed and embarrassed would not allow Ezra to ask for one. He was afraid the heathen king would think his declarations of faith in God would be perceived as mere hypocrisy, or that the king would believe the God of Israel was unable to preserve His own worshipers. Ezra would not allow even his mind to lean on an “arm of flesh” (2 Chron. 32:8) in a matter so evidently of the Lord. Therefore his caravan set out without any visible protection, but guarded by Him who is the sword and shield of His people.

What a shame that so few believers have such a holy jealousy for God as Ezra, even those who in some respects walk by faith, but who occasionally mar the luster of their testimony by craving help from man! It is the most blessed thing to have no safety fallback position or, in other words, to “work without a net”—standing upright and firm on the Rock of Ages, upheld by the Lord alone.

Would any believers really want government financial aid for their church if they remembered that the Lord is dishonored by asking for Caesar’s help, as though God could not supply for the needs of His own cause! Would we be so quick to run to friends and family for assistance if we remembered that the Lord is glorified by our absolute reliance on His arm alone?

“My soul, wait…only upon God” (Ps. 62:5 KJV). Someone may ask, “But aren’t we to use everything at our disposal?” Of course we are, but our error seldom lies in neglecting to use whatever means we have, but far more frequently in foolishly believing in our means rather than believing in God. Few of us err in neglecting to use the help of others, but many of us sin in making too much of it.

Believer, learn to glorify the Lord by neglecting to use your own means or the help of others, if by using them you would dishonor the name of the Lord.

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Indeed, we should honor the Lord by trusting solely in Him. If, however, you walk in fear of “going it alone,” heed these words of the psalmist:

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Psalm 118:5 – 9

Ezra certainly understood this truth, as did the apostle Paul, who on one of his missionary journeys went alone to Corinth, one of the most evil cities of the Roman Empire. Yet he was not alone, for “one night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you’” (Acts 18:9 – 10).

Fear is sin and brings the opposite of safety, for”Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe” (Prov. 29:25).