When Ezra was preparing to bring back Jewish exiles from Babylon, he knew that they would be facing an arduous and treacherous journey ahead of him.

With all their wives, children and belongings, as well as the sacred vessels of the temple, there was a lot at stake.

And for them what was paramount was their safety and protection. (Ezra 8:21-23)

Ezra was faced with two options; to lean on the arm of the flesh (the natural) or the arm of the spirit (the supernatural).

Of course, it would have been a whole lot easier for Ezra to have asked the emperor of Persia for a cavalry of soldiers and horsemen to escort them on their journey.

But that would have meant leaning on the natural which would have required little if no faith whatsoever.

What’s more, it would have meant putting their faith and trust in man and not in God!

Instead, Ezra chose to lean on God and this he did, by proclaiming a fast.

And amazingly, God miraculously brought them through! (Ezra 8:23)

You see, fasting is a way of humbling our souls before God, reminding us of our total dependence and reliance upon Him.

By abstaining from food, we automatically turn our backs on the natural and readily embrace the supernatural.

And it signals to God that we have every intention of doing things His way and that our trust and faith is in Him.

And when that happens, it’s impossible to fail.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather do life God’s way and know that He will grant me the victory each and every time!