A Prayer by the River

Ezra was a scribe who deeply loved God's word. King Artaxerxes of Persia allowed him to lead a second group of Jewish families home from Babylon to Jerusalem. Many families packed their bags with excitement and joined Ezra for the long journey. At the Ahava River they pitched their tents, and Ezra sent for Levites to come and serve God with them. Before they set out, Ezra knew the journey was long and dangerous. He felt ashamed to ask the king for soldiers, for he had told the king, "God helps everyone who seeks Him." So Ezra called a fast, and all the people knelt by the river and prayed earnestly. They asked God to keep them, their children, and the gold and silver gifts for the temple, safe along the way. God heard their prayer and granted their request. On the road they sang, rested, and supported one another. When Jerusalem appeared in the light of the setting sun, every eye filled with tears of joy. In the temple every gold bowl and silver cup was counted and weighed, and not even one was lost. This story tells us: when we hand our hearts over to God before we set out, and pray simply, He will keep us all the way.