October 8, 1998, Thursday

Would it be a wonderful thing to know that if you ever did

anything wrong, someone would stand up for you and protect

your interests to defend you? Would it be a satisfying thing

to know that you had unlimited access to the treasury of a

country to fund your projects? Would it be a comforting

thought to know that several brigades of the armed forces

would respond to protect you from anything that threatened

your life?

The Psalmist knew that he was not perfect; he was a sinner

that many times felt like he was not winning the battle to

eliminate sin from his life. His conscience bothered him

and he wanted relief from the guilt. He understood that

God would ultimately win that battle for him, but in the

meantime, God would defend him and provide the sacrifice

for his sins: "Iniquities prevail against me; As for our

sins, You will provide atonement for them" (Psa 65:3).

Ezra had a zeal that consumed him to build a great work

for God. His prayer for provision to make that dream a

reality was answered when the king of another country

granted his petition. Ezra had won the confidence and

blessing of a foreign king by his faithful service to him:

"And whatever more may be needed for the house of your

God, which you may have occasion to provide, pay for

it from the king's treasury" (Ezr 7:20). Ezra was

given a blank check to complete his dream.

Ezra was harassed and threatened for the work that he was

doing. He was mocked and ridiculed for something that some

thought stupid. He understood the God had that provided the

resources to start the project and could provide all of the

protection to complete it. Jesus admonished his disicples

when they tried to defend him from the soldiers: "Or do

you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He

will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels"

(Mat 26:53)? The fact of the matter is that Jesus laid

down his life voluntarily to provide for us. He could

have easily defended Himself from any harm. He had full

protection from harm until the point that His time had

come to fulfill the purpose that He had come; To provide

and protect us from the ravages of sin.

Let us remember who is the God that came to provide for

us. God's name is Jehová Jireh. Jehová Jireh protects and

is the God that provides for our every need! Jesus knew

God could do whatever He wanted and relied on the manna

from heaven to survive. We can rely on His protection and

His system of provision each day. Raise your hands to

Him and Praise Him Him today for all of His provisions

and blessings in your life!