FAST FOR DIRECTION
By: Pastor Matt Morgan
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Ezra 8:21 KJV
There were three things Ezra petitioned God for: direction, family, and substance. Substance simply means possessions. It’s OK to have possessions, as long as possessions don’t have you. Ezra fasted and he prayed that God would bless and protect the people, their little ones, and their substance and give them direction. This goes beyond basic needs; this proves that God loves his children and desires to provide for them.
Ezra 8:21 and Proverbs 8:21 are very similar. “I will cause those that love me to inherit substance” (Proverbs 8:21 KJV). No matter what anyone has told you, God is concerned with your blessing and increase.
“Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers” (3 John 2 KJV).
God does not bless us grudgingly; He blesses us bountifully. He takes pleasure in blessing us! God is not hesitant or indecisive on this matter. Trust his word, and receive his blessings with joy.
“Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 30:9 NIV).
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Ezra 8:21 KJV
There were three things Ezra petitioned God for: direction, family, and substance. Substance simply means possessions. It’s OK to have possessions, as long as possessions don’t have you. Ezra fasted and he prayed that God would bless and protect the people, their little ones, and their substance and give them direction. This goes beyond basic needs; this proves that God loves his children and desires to provide for them.
Ezra 8:21 and Proverbs 8:21 are very similar. “I will cause those that love me to inherit substance” (Proverbs 8:21 KJV). No matter what anyone has told you, God is concerned with your blessing and increase.
“Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers” (3 John 2 KJV).
God does not bless us grudgingly; He blesses us bountifully. He takes pleasure in blessing us! God is not hesitant or indecisive on this matter. Trust his word, and receive his blessings with joy.
“Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 30:9 NIV).