If you are reading THE ONE YEAR BIBLE through, you will have
been in Ezra and Nehemiah like I have. Now...if it has been a long time since
you read these books, take the time...so many nuggets in there for you. This
one is “the good (gracious) hand of my God” in both the writings of Ezra
and Nehemiah.
**How did Ezra recognize the good hand of his God? He knew the Scriptures:
Ezra 7:6: This
Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well-versed in the Law of Moses,
which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he
asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was
on him.
7:9... according to the good hand of his God upon him.
NIV... for the gracious hand
of his God was on him.
**Ezra knew where his courage and strength came
from when he had to go before the king. This caused the king to listen to Ezra.
7:28... Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took
courage.
KJV...And I was
strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was
upon me
8:18... the gracious hand of our God was on us.
KJV... by the good hand
of our God upon us.
Ezra 8:22 ...We
had told the king, “The gracious
hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him...”
**There
was trouble in Ezra’s time. But when the enemy came, Ezra realized it was that
very gracious, good hand of God, his Heavenly Father, that took care of him and
his people.
8:31...The hand of our God was on us, and He protected us.
(KJV)...The hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the
enemy.
Nehemiah wrote about the same “good hand of God” on him.
**Both Nehemiah and Ezra had to approach
the king for help. The good hand of God
opened that door for them. The king noticed they were different.
Nehemiah 2:8 ... because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the
king granted my requests.
**Nehemiah used his own testimony to
encourage others to get busy and work...
Nehemiah 2:18. I also
told them about the gracious hand of my
God on me and what the king had said
to me.They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.
When we think of the phrase “God’s good, gracious hand” on us,
we realize how personal our relationship to our Heavenly Father is. When a
person kindly places a hand on our shoulders or gives us hugs, we know they are
trying to encourage us.
Every
one of us reading this...right now...needs to feel the “good, gracious hand of our God” on us. He cares for us just like a loving shepherd
(Psalm 23), touching us “with His good hands” when we need encouragement or
even direction to walk a different way. Today I hope you can say, like Ezra and
Nehemiah: “And I was strengthened as the
hand of the Lord my God was upon me,” and
then encourage others with your testimony.
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