Ezra 8: The Good Hand of God Upon Us

Several times in the book of Ezra we see God mention that His good hand was upon Ezra.

Ezra had an amazing purpose that God wanted to accomplish through him. He was to bring back the leadership for the temple and restore worship there.

His task seems unlikely:

• A pagan king would allow him to go.

• The pagan king would provide above and beyond anything Ezra could have ever dreamed financially for his ministry.

• Ezra would then voyage 900 miles through less than friendly territory (I mean it’s the Middle East for crying out loud!).

• Ezra trusted the “good hand of the Lord” so much that he does not even ask for an escort or army for protection while carrying MILLIONS of dollars in gold, silver, and bronze!

What does this have to do with parenting? Everything.

We have a great task our God wants to accomplish through us…He wants to effect change for future generations through us. He desires to bring us on a long journey of trusting him to meet our needs, protect our purpose and vision, and usher in a new fresh breath of worship and teaching through our children. We must trust that the “Good hand of the Lord” is upon us throughout this journey as parents.

Even if we don’t SEE the bands of angels encamped around our homes protecting us and our children, even if we don’t know where the provision on the journey will come from, and especially when we have no idea how to handle a discipline issue or decision we are facing. God’s hand is upon us as parents. He desires to accomplish more through us and our children than we can even imagine.

Trust in His good hand, His strong hand, marked with puncture wounds through nails of forgiveness and grace for every mistake and sin along the way.

Photography courtesy of Brian Schindler