Have you ever prayed for “traveling mercies”? Heaven knows that travel can be treacherous. I must have been a young pastor in central Texas when I first heard the expression. I still pray for them because we need God’s help to make it through this life.
Ezra also prayed for traveling mercies. As he and a group of Israelites returned to Jerusalem, he proclaimed a fast to ask God for a safe journey. In fact, Ezra was so serious that he proclaimed a fast for the purpose of humbling themselves before God and praying for safety.
Why didn’t Ezra just ask the King to give him an escort of soldiers? This was an act of faith. He had told the king that God’s gracious hand would provide. Why ask a king to do what the true King can do? To be clear, instead of trusting in an earthly ruler, the Israelites put their full confidence in God and he answered their prayer.
Psalm 20:6-8 says, “Now this I know. The Lord gives victory to his anointed. Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall. But we rise up and stand firm.” May this be our story today. Our future is not dependent on any earthly ruler. Jesus Christ, alone, is Lord. We place all of our trust in him and give him all of our loyalty.
