Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him
Psalms 33:18-19 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
Zephaniah 1:6 those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.”
Hebrews 10:38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
Faith in action. It takes a very close humble walk with God to have this kind of faith, where you are ashamed to ask for protection from the king, who is more than willing and able to supply the protection, because in your heart you know God is more protection, more powerful, more awesome, and no one can defeat what He has put into motion. I am reminded once again of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they told the king that our God is able to protect us from your threat, but even if He does not we will not bow down and worship your image. Ezra is saying about the same thing when he purposed not seek the king’s help and protect but chose faith in God. He was ashamed to have even thought the thought of asking the King.
If we were true to ourselves and asked how many times do we seek help outside of seeking and trusting God, what would that number be? Trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation is a little easier as there is no other savior who can save us. However, when we come down to living out our daily lives and see we can get help outside of asking Jesus we easily turn toward a non-faith, non-Jesus, solution. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Our faith will only mature as we grow closer to Jesus. Our closer walk with Jesus will only mature when we spend time in His word. Time in His word will only mature when we intentionally/daily commit with our whole heart, mind, and soul to humble service, honoring, glorifying, worshiping, following, trusting, and obeying Him. Our maturity will then happen line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. When we see Jesus Christ as our all in all for every moment of every day we will begin to grow and mature in our faith.