8:21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.
In spite of all the opposition to rebuild the temple, Ezra successfully secured permission from King Artaxerxes for the journey and the project. Ezra’s success came through faith in God. It was God that softened the heart of the king to treat Ezra favorably.
Ezra also had to gather the leaders that were needed for this venture. He noted there were no Levites so he took action to secure those that were needed for temple service. Once again, God blessed Ezra’s efforts with success and now his group was ready to embark on their journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra expressed strong faith in God to the king. Now he was “ashamed” to ask the king for protection. Instead, he proclaimed a fast so the people might humble themselves before the LORD.
Presuming upon God’s grace is dangerous, even sinful. Failing to trust in God’s grace is equally sinful and dangerous as well. There must be balance. We humble ourselves and seek the LORD while we continuously use our God-given gifts and talents to exercise obedience. Most people are prone to one extreme or the other: Faith only—I sit here and do nothing; Action only—you pray while I get things done.
Was Ezra nervous about the journey? Absolutely. Why else would scripture record that he was ashamed to ask the king for protection after proclaiming faith in God? “I have absolute faith in God (but a military escort would be nice).”
The balance is learned through an abiding relationship with God. There are times for prayer and fasting. These are times when we must humble ourselves before God and confess that we are nothing without Him. Then are times to get moving and deploy the gifts and talents He has given us. Prayer and fasting equals spiritual clarity.
