Ezra 7:9 – “On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.”
Ezra had been given permission by Artaxerxes, the king of Babylon, to return to Jerusalem to restore the house of God. His journey takes four months. Ezra credits the success of his journey to “the good hand of his God upon him.” Three times in today’s reading Ezra uses the phrase in some form “the hand of the Lord His God upon him.” Ezra recognized three distinct benefits of having God’s “hand” upon his life.
1. Successful Journey. As was just mentioned above, we should recognize that getting from one place to another successfully is not always an easy task. There were dangers in Ezra’s journey. He needed God’s protection in order to make it safely to Jerusalem. We should all attribute to God any success we’ve had thus far in our “journeys” and pray for His hand to be upon us on our journey today.
2. Favor. The reason Ezra was allowed to leave Babylon was because “the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord His God upon him” (v.6). When God’s hand is upon your life you will have favor. Favor can open doors that appear shut. Favor can get you a “yes” when appearances say “no.” Favor will put you at the right place at the right time.
3. Strength. Ezra says in chapter 7 verse 28: “…I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me…” This is an indispensable benefit needed to help us make it on our journey. You and I must acquire strength. Amazing things can happen when the good hand of God is upon your life. Pray for His heavenly touch today.