Strengthened by Yahweh

So I took courage because I was strengthened by Yahweh my God….

Ezra 7:27

A brief prayer in the memoirs of Ezra reveals a poignant concept about prayer. Ezra resided in Persia along with thousands of other misplaced Hebrews.  His prayer praised God for what He had done. Ezra prayed, Praise Yahweh the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s mind to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers (Ezra 7:17 CSSV). This is a huge praise! The king of Persia (modern Iran) had given permission for Ezra and other Jewish leaders to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. 

Note Ezra’s explicit acknowledgement of what brought this about—God had put it into the king’s mind. Ah. That’s a new dimension for my prayers. For some prayers to be answered, God must first “influence their mind.” God’s action began a type of second exodus for the Children of Israel. They left another season of slavery to return to the Promised Land. 

Ezra records what happened in his own heart after God began working in the king’s mind. Ezra took courage! He said, “I was strengthened by Yahweh my God” (Ezra 8:28 CSV).

This prayer memoir in Ezra instructs and strengthens me in my own prayer life. I’m encouraged to ask God to begin working in the thoughts and desires of someone’s heart to accomplish His perfect will. When God does choose to work that way, I want to be intentional about giving God and only God the praise. I desire to use that joyful emotion of “encouragement” to respond and walk forward on the path where God directs. I, too, can move from any place of bondage into the promised land of God’s blessing and grace. 

Thank you, Father, for this glimpse into a challenging time in Ezra’s life and revealing how You worked it out. Thank you for the encouragement and instruction it brings to me as I, like the Children of Israel, find my way to Your promised land of grace and mercy.

Linda Les