Sensing God’s favor

I appreciate leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah because they operated in a spiritual climate much like ours. They did not hear directly from the Lord. The Scripture, their hearts and circumstances led them to their life’s work (rebuilding Jerusalem). Ezra was more mystical. He was ashamed to ask for the king’s protection and choosing to rely on God alone (Ezra 8:21-22). Nehemiah was practical. He asked the king for protection (Neh 2:9). Either tact seems to be acceptable. What confirmed these men in pursuit of their calling was the sense of God’s favor (Ezra 7:9, 28). In our day we need to develop these spiritual senses to guide us into God’s will for us.