Day 47 – Fast and Pray

Ezra 8:16 Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leaders; also, for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding. 17 I gave them a command for Iddo the chief man at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo and his brethren the Nethinim at the place Casiphia—that they should bring us servants for the house of our Elohiym.

 18 Then, by the good hand of our Elohiym upon us, they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and brothers, eighteen men; 19 and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men; 20 also of the Nethinim, whom David and the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim. They were designated by name.

 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our Elohiym, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our Elohiym is upon those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against those who forsake Him.”

 23 Thus, we fasted and entreated our Elohiym for this, and He answered our prayer. 24 I separated twelve of the leaders of the priests—Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them— 25 and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles, the offering for the house of our Elohiym which the king and his counselors and his princes, and everyone in Israel who were present, had offered. 26 I weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, silver articles weighing one hundred talents, one hundred talents of gold, 27 twenty gold basins worth a thousand drachmas, and two vessels of fine polished bronze, precious as gold. 28 I said to them, “You are holy to JEHOVAH; the articles are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to JEHOVAH Elohiym of your fathers. 29 Watch and keep them until you weigh them before the leaders of the priests and the Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel in Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the JEHOVAH.”

 30 Then the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our Elohiym.

 31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our Elohiym was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road.

 32 Thus, we came to Jerusalem and stayed there three days. 33 Now on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the articles were weighed in the house of our Elohiym by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; with them were the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui, 34 with the number and weight of everything. The weight was written down at that time.

 35 The children of those who had been carried away captive, who had come from the captivity, offered burnt offerings to the Elohiym of Israel: twelve bulls for Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats as a sin offering. This was a burnt offering to JEHOVAH.

 36 They delivered the king’s orders to the king’s satraps and the governors in the region beyond the River. Thus, they gave support to the people and the house of Elohiym.

God’s names:

Elohiym – Supreme God

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Protector

Everything is ready. You have everyone you need to finish your task, but there’s someone missing. When you make an account, you find key people missing and send for them right away. You cannot start the task without them.

Ezra returned to Jerusalem with the children of Israel. However, when he listed the names of those who came with him, he didn’t find any Levites among them and sent for them. When they arrived, Ezra began the journey to Jerusalem. To make the journey safe, he prayed and fasted to Elohiym to protect them from enemies along the way, and Elohiym protected them the entire journey to Jerusalem.

Ezra also weighed the vessels for the house of Elohiym before they began their journey. When they arrived in Jerusalem, he gave the articles of the house of Elohiym into the hands of the priests, who then offered sacrifices to JEHOVAH.

Upon arrival, Ezra delivered the orders from the king to the governors of the region, who then supported the Jews to rebuild the temple and walls of Jerusalem.

When you accepted Yeshuwa as Savior and Lord, you committed your life to Him, trusting that He would keep His promises to protect you from your enemy, Satan, in the work He called you to do.

Before Ezra started on his journey, he fasted and prayed for JEHOVAH’S protection on the journey.

When was the last time you fasted and prayed for Yeshuwa’s protection in the task He called you to do? Many people will try to come against you in the work. However, when you fast and pray, you will find Yeshuwa will protect you from your enemies and help you complete the task He called you to do.

No matter the task, whether He calls you to go to the nations, or work in your church or city, He will provide everything you need when you trust Him, fast, and pray for His help throughout the work.

Many Christians pray for Yeshuwa’s help, but they fail to fast. They have His instructions and believe they can do the work without fasting. Not every situation calls for fasting, but when you know the enemy will come against you with his full arsenal, it’s time to fast for protection. You need to be ready for whatever Satan will devise against you.

When Ezra arrived in Jerusalem, he delivered the king’s orders to the governors of the region. When they received the orders from the king, they helped instead of hindering the work they came to do.

When you fast and pray, you will find help in everything you do because your orders come from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will cause your enemies to work with you instead of against you.

Let’s pray: Father, remind me to fast and pray for Your protection from Satan and his schemes against the work You called me to do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 6 March 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux