God's help

“Help!” I cried from the top of the ladder. I balanced precariously, arms ladened with heavy boxes of Christmas decorations, some of them quite fragile. I had thought I could handle this chore on my own, but at that point, I knew one of us was going down.

My husband rushed out just in time to catch the boxes.

Life often feels like a dangerous balancing act. How can we know for certain God will catch us when we cry for help or lead us when we’re unsure about what to do? The Bible provides us with the testimony of Ezra, an Old Testament saint who teaches us a lot about the good hand of our God.

Assurance

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,  . . . ; But his delight is in the law of the Lord,” Psalm 1:1-2. When you read through the book of Ezra, you discover how well this Paslm describes him. Ezra delighted in God’s law, obey God’s word, and diligently sought the Lord, trusting God to supply all his needs. Ezra hated sin and humbly confessed his need for God’s intervention.

Do we delight in God’s word? Are we quick to confess our sin? Do we lean on Him and not our understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6)? Then Ezra’s promise applies to us, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” Ezra 8:22b.

If we humbly, honestly seek the Lord’s help—He guarantees we will have it. But how does God’s hand on our life look? In other words, how do we know when we have His help?

Evidence of God Good Hand

Ezra reveals the evidence of God’s good hand. I found three elements of God’s intervention.

• First, God gave Ezra the favor of the king (Ezra 7:6). When we receive the permission of those in authority over us to proceed with a plan, that is evidence of God’s favor.

When I celebrated my third twentieth (you do the math) birthday, I took a trip to Savannah. I went with my husband’s blessing. He provided me with an allowance for the journey. I also have my husband’s permission to pursue a writing career that currently runs on red ink. We have been a single-income family for most of our married life. I appreciate that my Sweet William affords me these opportunities. It’s a joy to submit to a generous man. God designed authority for our good, and He does not bless rebellion. So, the first thing to do in seeking God’s direction is to ask for permission from those He puts over us.

• Second, Ezra arrived at his destination unscathed (Ezra 7:8-10; 8:31). Journey’s mercies and success in an endeavor are more evidence of God’s blessing.

As Christians, many of us pray for God’s safety when we travel. We’re in good company. So did Ezra. The Bible reminds us that we don’t have because we don’t ask (James 4:2). Dependent, humble believers ask their Father for everything (1Thesselonians 5:17). If you arrive safely or succeed at a goal after you asked for God’s help, His good hand is upon you.

I have yet to get a book published, but I trust, in His time, God will bring it to pass. When I planned my trip to Savannah, I struggled with wondering if I was selfish. I wanted to see sprawling oaks draped in Spanish moss and witness the spectacle of giant Magnolia trees in bloom. I wanted to celebrate the life God gave me by traveling back to a childhood home. I made it there and back safely. God showed me all I desired and provided perfect weather: sunny in the low 80’s with next to no humidity. My friend Cindy, who’s from there, said, “We get two days a year like this, and these are the two!”

We must remember when we pray; our Father is the God who provides exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

• Third, the joy of the Lord strengthens Ezra, and he sought community with other believers (Ezra 7:28b; 8:18). When we face a challenging endeavor, it’s easy to get discouraged—but if God is in it, we can depend on Him to give us the strength and people we need to complete the job.

Noah may have been the only man who found grace in the eyes of the Lord, but he didn’t build the arc alone. Instead, God provided Noah the help of a community—his family. My life isn’t about me, and your life isn’t about you. Together we are God’s people.

So I planned my celebration in Savannah as a girls-get-away with three of my closest friends. The four of us had babies and raised them together. These sisters discipled me. We’ve laughed, cried, worshipped, and prayed for each other for over thirty years. Maintaining a relationship with these women is a vital part of my spiritual welfare.

God made us communal creatures. If your flying solo, going through life alone, trust me—the good hand of God is not upon you. I should never have tried to get those Christmas ornaments down alone. God uses other people to encourage us and brings others to join us in a work we can never accomplish by ourselves.

When I finally publish a book, there will be a long list of acknowledgments. Communities write books. Friends celebrate together. I know writing and celebrating don’t compare to Ezra’s call to rebuild the temple. But I also know God cares about every detail of creation, including what we do. So when we benefit from the fellowship of other Christians, let’s remember it’s because the good hand of our God is upon us.

With Ezra’s account in mind, how do you know God’s hand is on you today?