Morning, September 24

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"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.