Ezra 8-10
Ezra found himself in a little bit of a dilemma. He and the people had declared a bold testimony about God before the king. They had told him, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek Him, and the power of His wrath is against all who forsake Him” (Ez. 8:22b). Now, as the group was heading out on their journey back to Jerusalem, their safe travel became an issue. What to do?
Ezra feared that asking the king for protection would undermine their bold testimony of God. How many times in the Bible have we seen God’s people turn to someone other than God for their safety or other needs? Ezra did not. Nor did he simply take it for granted that God’s hand was with them, as we have also seen God’s people do. Instead, Ezra and his band earnestly sought God to meet their need. Later in the chapter we learn, “The hand of our God was on us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way” (Ez. 8:31b). God is good, and faithful to those who seek Him.
Rev. 15
“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished” (Rev. 15:1). The wrath of God is finished. Boy, does that ever sound final! I feel like that will be the point when all is settled. God’s judgments will stand and there will be no more chances. It will be curtains for all who chose death over life. But those who endured to the end will finally know true peace.