Seeking the Lord, and its Advantages
Jabez Burns, D. D. Ezra 8:22-28 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way… We are directed — I. TO SEEKING GOD AND ITS ADVANTAGES. 1. Seeking God denotes — (1) A consciousness of our need of Him. (2) Earnest and fervent prayer to Him ver. 23). (3) Coming to Him in the way of His appointment. (4) To labour in all things to have His approbation. 2. The advantages to those who thus seek Him. "The hand of our God is upon all," etc. The hand of His — (1) Pardoning mercy. (2) Delivering power. (3) Providing goodness. (4) Heavenly guidance. (5) Sustaining grace. (6) Manifest providence. II. FORSAKING GOD AND ITS ATTENDANT EVILS. Learn — 1. The value of true religion. 2. The awfulness of apostasy. 3. The necessity of both vigilance and perseverance (Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 4:10-13). (Jabez Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. WEB: For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him."