Ezra 8:22
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.
The verse concerns the months-long journey from Babylon to Jerusalem to restore God's worship, to revive interest in the study of God's word, and to assist in restoring the holy city, undertaken with wives, children, substance, and temple treasure while enemies waited to plunder and destroy, and traveled unprotected by any human power. Before the journey Ezra declared to the king perfect trust that the God of Israel is abundantly able to protect and care for His people. The king understood they were returning to serve Jehovah and, deeply impressed by that testimony of trust and by confidence in Ezra's integrity, granted the request, showed marked favor, bestowed rich gifts for the temple service, made Ezra a special representative of the Medo-Persian kingdom, and conferred extensive powers to carry out his purposes.
Ezra was ashamed to require of King Artaxerxes, the Persian king, a band of soldiers and horsemen to help against the enemy in the way, because he had told the king that the hand of God is for good upon all who seek Him but His power and wrath are against all who forsake Him. Instead of asking for an armed escort, Ezra and the people sought God through fasting and prayer, with special seasons of seeking the Lord at the river Ahava, humbling themselves, confessing sins, and asking for forgiveness, guidance, blessing, a right way, and protection for themselves, their families, children, and possessions. God heard and answered their plea.
Refusing a guard was an opportunity to magnify God's name before the heathen by showing implicit faith and putting trust wholly in their divine Leader, consistent with the public witness already given. It was meant to strengthen the king's faith in God and to give no occasion for the glory belonging to God alone to be credited to human strength, wealth, or the power and influence of idolatrous men, or for the sincerity of His people's dependence on God to be doubted. The protection trusted in requires obedience: strength comes through God's favor, enjoyed only by keeping the law of the Lord before them, striving to obey it, and seeking harmony with God and His law, which gave solemnity to the fast. Willful violation leaves a person exposed to spiritual attack, for sin separates people from the source of their power, leaving them weak and defenseless, and God alone is their strength.
The verse supports refusal to rely on people opposed to true worship to establish it, trusting that God would protect and prosper those serving Him. The Creator did not need the help or offerings of those who served other gods. In God's providence the unprotected journey taught rich spiritual lessons about God's strength and made many strong in faith, so that when they mingled in Jerusalem with the discouraged and the indifferent their influence became a powerful factor in the reform soon instituted there.
The example shows that God's servants may rely on God rather than seek the world's help and friendship, both in public worship and in daily life, and warns against turning to the god of Ekron instead of heeding the living God. The assurance that God's hand is for the good of those who seek Him applies to personal circumstances: God is guarding one's interests, wants to work with them and bless them with victories, and will give firm footing as they trust Him.