Scripture Reading
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem… Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.” Ezra 7:27-28 (NIV).
Notes
When we approach God with a vision, we often calculate the bare minimum we need to survive. We ask for just enough to get by. Look at the story of Ezra. When God moved the heart of King Artaxerxes, the response wasn’t just a simple permission slip to travel. It was an avalanche of provision (Ezra 7:11-28):
- Material Wealth: The King and his seven advisors gave gold and silver freely.
- Spiritual Tools: Vessels were provided for the temple in Jerusalem.
- Unlimited Access: The King authorized Ezra to draw from the Royal Treasury for any other needs that might arise.
Ezra received the backing of an empire because he had the backing of Heaven.
We see this same nature of God in the New Testament. When faced with a hungry crowd of 5,000, the disciples saw scarcity (Matthew 14:13-21). They saw 5 loaves and 2 fish. But in the hands of Jesus, that little offering was multiplied overwhelmingly, leaving twelve baskets of leftovers.
Recognizing Divine Favor in Your Work
When the hand of the Lord is on our work, we will find favor in unexpected places. Just as the King and his counselors rallied around Ezra, God is able to position committed people around us. Such connections are not coincidental. This is God’s Favor.
A Call to Humility
When the response is overwhelming—when the funds come in, when the global advisors show up, and when the project succeeds—there is a temptation to pat ourselves on the back for our networking skills or strategic brilliance. We must follow Ezra’s lead. His immediate reaction to this overwhelming success was not pride, but praise. He said, “Praise be to the Lord… who has put it into the king’s heart.”
Acknowledging the part God plays is the safety mechanism of success. It ensures we do not rob Him of His glory. We don’t take the committed people, the resources, or the open doors for granted. We recognize that every overwhelming response begins with the hand of God.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for providing for me and my work. Thank You for the committed people you have placed around me to advise and strengthen my work. I acknowledge that this favor comes from You alone. I trust You for an overwhelming response to the needs before me—not just enough to survive, but enough to bring You glory. Keep me humble, so that when the victory comes, I will always point back to Your hand upon my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Leave a comment