A Step of Faith (Part 3) by Brad Cox

In life we are presented with opportunities every day. Whether it is to buy the newest product, take advantage of a great business deal, or to accept a social invitation, we are all offered opportunities that must be evaluated. Sometimes these opportune moments come from the Lord. In Ezra 7, the Persian King Artaxerxes offers the remaining Jews still in Babylon the opportunity to return to Jerusalem to see and worship in the newly completed Temple. For those willing to return, the pagan king sweetens the deal by announcing he is going to send back the silver and gold articles stolen from the Jews over a hundred years before. While this is quite a proposition, Ezra the priest knows there will be great danger inherent with transporting thirty-three tons of precious metals across the desert to their destination nine-hundred miles away. This Jewish leader is torn between trusting God for deliverance or asking the king for a military escort for the journey. After a time of prayer and fasting, ultimately Ezra decides it is more important to present an accurate picture of God as their deliverer to Artaxerxes than to seek help from the earthly leader. The Lord honors their cry for protection and delivers all twenty-four leaders and their crews carrying the treasure without incident.

We too have been presented with an opportunity to advance the Kingdom of the Lord through supporting the ministries of the Twickenham Church of Christ in this campaign. My hope and prayer is that we will all commit ourselves, like Ezra and his men, to a time of prayer and fasting as we prepare to step out on faith in honoring our Lord and Master.

Audio: To replay the sermon presented on Sunday, August 16th click HERE.