Yet God did not forsake us

For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. – Ezra 9v9

The image of a God who does not forsake His people is one of great comfort and consolation. Judah had been slaves in Egypt for their sin in ignoring the 70 sabbath years in Jerusalem. Yet, Ezra knew, God did not forsake them even in the midst of their bondage. He was there to revive them and put them back on track doing His work.

I cannot help but be reminded of Hebrews 13v5-6 where we are reminded to live lives without covetousness because God has said ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’ This is followed by quoting Psalm 27v1 where we are told not to be afraid, because if God is with us, what can man do to us?

In these desperate days we do well to remember the words of Ezra and the words of the writer of Hebrews. Though times may be tough and though we may even find ourselves in a type of financial bondage we can rest assured that our God will not forsake.

The reality is that Jesus is all we really. He promises us food and raiment and Himself. What more do we really need?