Ezra Proclaimed a Fast

Today’s Scripture Readings:

• OT: Ezra 8
• NT: Mark 16
• W&W: Psalm 40

Today’s Reflection:

In Ezra 8, we read that Ezra led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. Before, they set out on their journey, Ezra proclaimed a fast. The purpose of the fast was so…

That the pilgrims might humble themselves before God.

That they would then be in a position to ask God for a safe journey.

That they could also ask God for a safe journey for their children.

That God would honor their trust and their testimony of his faithfulness.

That God would keep their possessions intact:

• Household goods – things of life
• Articles for worship
• Sacrificial offerings

So that they would have:

• Strength and provision for the journey
• Hope and expectation of God’s favor
• Something to present to God upon their arrival

Are you, like Lana and me, ready to set out on a journey to God’s promised spiritual blessings? Or, are you a leader who seeks the protection of God on your work and ministry and people? We would do well to imitate Ezra and those pilgrims of old, humbling ourselves in prayer and fasting, seeking God’s protection, interceding for our children, desiring God to be glorified in our lives of victory, and trusting God to keep us.

Join me in prayer and fasting for God to bless you on your journey to spiritual blessings and renewal!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.2-3: He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.