We have many dangers. How do you respond? Do you pray? Ezra prayed and he called the people of God together to pray. Ezra 8:23 reads,
Michael Voytekso we fasted and we entreated our God for this and he answered our prayer.How did [God] answer that prayer? Again, think about it, they are there in Babylon. They understand what is before them, they pray, they fast, and Ezra says,and God answered our prayer.But they still have to travel. They still have to pass through the region where these dangers are. And yet, Ezra says right there that God answered their prayer; and they stepped out and walked by faith through that dangerous area. God granted them that assurance, that peace, that understanding that God is their protector. Notice, their faith was in God rather than man. Their desire was for God to be glorified, even to the point of bragging to the king about the greatness of their God.1
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.