Spurgeon: September AM
* 09/24/AM
"For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and
horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had
spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all
them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is
against all them that forsake Him."
--Ezra 8:22
A convoy on many accounts would have been desirable for the
pilgrim band, but a holy shame-facedness would not allow Ezra to
seek one. He feared lest the heathen king should think his
professions of faith in God to be mere hypocrisy, or imagine
that the God of Israel was not able to preserve His own
worshippers. He could not bring his mind to lean on an arm of
flesh in a matter so evidently of the Lord, and therefore the
caravan set out with no visible protection, guarded by Him who
is the sword and shield of His people. It is to be feared that
few believers feel this holy jealousy for God; even those who in
a measure walk by faith, occasionally mar the lustre of their
life by craving aid from man. It is a most blessed thing to have
no props and no buttresses, but to stand upright on the Rock of
Ages, upheld by the Lord alone. Would any believers seek state
endowments for their Church, if they remembered that the Lord is
dishonoured by their asking Caesar's aid? as if the Lord could
not supply the needs of His own cause! Should we run so hastily
to friends and relations for assistance, if we remembered that
the Lord is magnified by our implicit reliance upon His solitary
arm? My soul, wait thou only upon God. "But," says one, "are not
means to be used?" Assuredly they are; but our fault seldom lies
in their neglect: far more frequently it springs out of
foolishly believing in them instead of believing in God. Few run
too far in neglecting the creature's arm; but very many sin
greatly in making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify
the Lord by leaving means untried, if by using them thou wouldst
dishonour the name of the Lord.