Ezra the Scribe, as did Sheshbazzar several years before him, led a delegation of (released) Jews from Babylon to Jerusalem. Essentially ending the “70 year captivity” prophesied by Jeremiah “at the Word of the Lord.”
Here’s a one verse description of their trip home. “For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.” Ezra 7:9
Look, do the math!
It took a total of four months to traverse the route … on foot no doubt!
I wonder if the returning pilgrims though of Psalm 121! “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” I have no doubt they had memorized this Poem, and recited it (perhaps) daily as they trekked across the terrain.
Anyway, I have already today revealed the “truth” that has seized my heart.
“Four whole months!” Ezra’s march lasted … “upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem.”
And a “dangerous” trip no doubt.
“Four months,” with elderly men and women along with their children and grandchildren (even some infants), what a group! (People whose hearts God had touched, to go back to Judah and her Capital City Jerusalem.)
Yes, serving God often takes “time!”
The gap from start to finish is not always “small, little!”
Moses was 40 years in the wilderness, training to lead God’s Chosen out of Egypt!
Paul too, 3 years in the Arabian desert, learning at the University of the Holy Spirit!
And Jesus? About 33 years on earth, aiming and arriving (and conquering) … at the old rugged Cross of Calvary!
Anyone reading here today on a “journey?”
From defeat to victory?
From prayer requested … to prayer answered?
From salvation to maturity?
From any “Point A” in your life to “Point B?”
Remember, the great God who can instantly do whatever He pleases … can also (if He deems best) … take lots of time to fulfil his Will!
So today we’ve talked about WAITING.
And I close with this … “They that WAIT upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, a promise straight from the Lord God Almighty!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
“Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes WAIT upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:1-2