(REFLECTIONS ON Ezra 8:15-36)

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. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Upon returning to Jerusalem, Ezra put his confidence in the Lord. His words of faith came first, to the king of Persia, declaring that God would be with them on their journey so the king’s protection was not necessary.

The words of faith led then to acts of faith because now Ezra and those that were with him needed to depend on the Lord for protection. Ezra proclaimed a fast, in order that they would humble themselves before the Lord as they asked Him for protection.

Ezra’s words of faith led directly to his acts of faith, because what he said, he now needed to practically live out and put into action. In the end, because of their faithfulness to seek the Lord in humility, God answered their prayers.

Today’s Scripture provides several reminders for us as we continue to live out our life of faith on a daily basis. First, our words of faith, proclaiming our hope in God publicly, does make a practical difference and influence our following actions.

Ezra said he was “ashamed to ask” the king for additional support because he had already made a public announcement of his faith in God. Second, his public announcement led Ezra to make sure he acted accordingly, so he proclaimed a fast in order to adjust the heart of the people to request the Lord to watch over them.

Third, we see the importance of a fast, that is to humble ourselves before God before we come to Him in prayer. A fast isn’t for others to see how holy we are, but a discipline of reminding us of our needs and weaknesses before the Lord, who is our healer and provider.

At the beginning of 2025, my wife and I set goals for ourselves for the year. We shared them with one another and also prayed for each other regarding these goals. It is now November, and the goals we set, some of which were very difficult and high set goals, have one by one been crossed off and accomplished.

Yes, our words are not enough, and words of faith are not enough if not followed by action. But there is power in words of faith made publicly because it serves as a commitment and reminder that when the time comes we need to turn our words into action.

Let us remember that words of faith lead to acts of faith. May we boldly proclaim our faith to the world, as our public commitment and reminder that when it is time to act, we have already said with our words how we will respond.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Ezra 8