The Good Hand: Are you giving God the Credit for Your Success
- Thad DeBuhr
- Oct 3
- 9 min read
Ezra Chapter 7, verses 19 -28
All success, wisdom, and provision come from God, and we must not forget Him or rely on our own abilities.
Imagine you’ve just pitched the biggest, most ambitious project of your life—a plan to rebuild your community’s core identity after decades of destruction. You need massive funding, legal authority, and protection from powerful enemies. You present your proposal to the CEO of a rival, multinational corporation, fully expecting a polite refusal or, at best, a small, begrudging donation. Instead, the CEO—the most powerful person in the world—doesn't just sign off on your plan; they hand you a blank check, unlimited supplies, and complete legal authority over your people.
How do you react? Do you boast about your brilliant negotiating skills? Do you celebrate your well-deserved promotion? Or do you drop to your knees and recognize that this unbelievable favor came from a source higher than any earthly power?
This is precisely the situation Ezra finds himself in. When King Artaxerxes grants him immense authority and resources (a king who could have just as easily executed him), Ezra’s response is not self-congratulation but humble, immediate praise for the "good hand of the Lord." The central lesson of this passage is clear: When we see God's favor and provision in our lives, we must be quick to give Him the credit.
Before you dig into the story, I would encourage you to read through the passage in two different bible translations from this list: NIV, NLT, NASB, ESV, NKJV
Learn more about our exciting out-of-the-box ministry here
Setting the Scene from Ezra 7: Power, Provision, and the Pagan King
The book of Ezra takes place nearly a century after the Babylonian exile, when the Jewish people were scattered and subject to the massive Persian Empire. The events in Ezra chapter 7 verses 19 through 28 occur during the reign of King Artaxerxes I (circa 458 BC).
The Context of Provision and Authority
The Persian Empire: This wasn't a small kingdom; it was the largest empire the world had yet seen, stretching from India to Ethiopia. For a subject people like the Jews to receive this level of provision from the emperor was unprecedented divine favor. The fact that Artaxerxes and his pagan advisors were freely giving gold and silver for the Jewish temple (Ezra chapter 7 verse 16) highlights God's sovereign control over even the most powerful secular rulers (Proverbs chapter 21 verse 1).
A "Blank Check" for God: Ezra chapter 7 verses 21 and 22 list generous, specific allowances (100 talents of silver, 100 kors of wheat, etc.), but Ezra chapter 7 verse 20 is the real shocker: "And anything else needed for the house of your God... you may provide from the royal treasury." This was essentially a royal assurance of unlimited funding for the Temple's needs.
Ezra's Authority: Ezra was a skilled scribe, but the king elevates him to a judicial and governing power. Ezra is commissioned to appoint judges and magistrates and to teach God's Law to everyone in the province beyond the Euphrates (Ezra chapter 7 verses 25 and 26). He became the de facto religious and judicial leader, all thanks to a pagan king's decree.
Why the King Complied The pagan king’s motivation, stated in Ezra chapter 7 verse 23, is fascinating: "Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done diligently... lest wrath come upon the realm of the king and his sons." The biblical writer, however, makes it clear: the king’s heart was moved because "the hand of the Lord his God was upon him" (Ezra chapter 7 verse 6).
Ezra sees beyond the political and financial gifts. He looks at the vast provision, the open authority, and the protection from taxes (Ezra chapter 7 verse 24), and he recognizes it as an act of grace. His immediate response (Ezra chapter 7 verses 27 and 28) is a heartfelt prayer of thanks, focusing not on his cleverness, but on the "good favor" and "hand of the Lord" upon him.
The Source of All Good: Wisdom from the Scriptures
The principle Ezra lives out—that all good gifts come from God and He deserves the credit—is a theme woven throughout Scripture.
1. Acknowledge the Ultimate Giver (James) 🎁
The reason we must give God the credit is simple: He is the origin of all that is good.
James chapter 1 verse 17 (NLT)
"Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."
The Nature of God's Gifts: This verse confirms that every positive outcome, provision, and skill—including those that seem to come from our "own strength"—is ultimately a gift from a constant, unwavering God. The pagan king’s decree to Ezra was not a perfect act of human kindness, but a good and perfect gift from God through an imperfect channel.
2. Reject Self-Reliance (Deuteronomy) 💪
The greatest danger of success is the pride that leads to self-worship.
Deuteronomy chapter 8 verses 17 and 18 (NLT)
"He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath."
The Trap of Pride: Ezra was a skilled scribe, but he rejected the thought that his talent alone secured the king’s favor. We must always remember, as Deuteronomy commands, that God is the one who grants the power to achieve anything successful. Our effort is necessary, but His empowerment is decisive.
3. Choose Trust Over Intellect (Proverbs) 🧭
When facing great power and vast resources, it is tempting to trust in our own strategy or intellect.
Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 and 6 (NLT)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
The Right Path: For Ezra, leading the return to Jerusalem required brilliant strategy and complete dependence on God. This proverb reminds us that our human understanding is limited. The most reliable path through any situation—especially one involving a king's unexpected favor—is found by fully surrendering our intellect and seeking God’s will first.
Questions to Chew on and Discuss
The Unexpected Source: The king was a pagan ruler, yet he was the channel for God's incredible blessing. Where in your own life has a significant blessing, resource, or opportunity come from an unexpected, non-spiritual, or even rival source? How does Ezra chapter 7, alongside James chapter 1 verse 17, change the way you view that source?
The Humility Test: Ezra's first reaction to receiving unlimited provision and authority is to "bless the Lord" (Ezra chapter 7 verse 27). If you received a major promotion or a significant financial windfall today, what would your immediate, gut-level, emotional response be? How does the warning in Deuteronomy chapter 8 verses 17 and 18 guide your initial reaction?
Strengthened by Favor: Ezra says, "I was strengthened, for the hand of the Lord my God was upon me" (Ezra chapter 7 verse 28). How does recognizing God's favor and following the wisdom in Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 and 6 provide you with the courage and strength to face the responsibilities or challenges that come with that favor?
Journey Group Discussion Starter
Think back to a time when you achieved something difficult, but later realized that a major, necessary component—a specific contact, a perfectly timed interruption, a resource you didn't know you needed—was provided in a way that defied coincidence.
Share the story of that event and explain the key detail that made you realize, "This was the 'good hand' of God, not just my own effort."
Applying It Today
We live in a "self-made" culture where we’re taught to take credit for our accomplishments. This passage stands as a powerful call to humility and gratitude.
Ezra reminds us that true success isn't about the size of the opportunity (which was vast), but about the recognition of the ultimate source of all good gifts. When you get the promotion, when the prayer is answered, when the provision arrives, you have a choice: you can feed your own ego, or you can point to the one who made the way.
Your Next Step: Identify the one area in your life right now where you are experiencing clear favor or provision (a new job, a reconciled relationship, unexpected health). How is God guiding you to respond by intentionally giving Him the credit?
Pray: Acknowledge God's favor publicly or privately.
Serve: Use the newly given resource/time/talent for others.
Give: Honor God with a gift or offering from the provision.
Connect: Share your story of God's 'good hand' to encourage a friend.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES WITH THIS STUDY GUIDE
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-bible-podcast-with-pastor-thad/id1838217398
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NA8lvRahCOhBNTxWaI16Q
🎧 Listen on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2a5a9f7e-e5b3-4fd6-a523-20da6910774a
🎧 Listen on PodBean: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-xbsb7-1450dee
MORE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
Your Jesus Journey is an independent, non-denominational Christian ministry. We're fueled by God's grace and the generosity of our supporters. Our team—led by Pastor Thad and his wife Kaila—is made up of dedicated disciples from all over the United States. Together, we work to help people understand the Bible, find Christian friends, and grow as disciple-makers.
Be sure to grab our free E-Book, "Stop Reading the Bible Wrong: 7 Strategic Shifts that Change Everything." Just click the Free Gift button at the top of our website, and we'll send it to you today!
Go to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about Journey Groups, get connected in one, or even learn how to start your own. It's like a spiritual potluck, but instead of questionable casseroles, we share insights and grow closer to God. See you there!
You can also get our FREE in-Depth Bible-Study Guides delivered to your inbox: https://forms.wix.com/r/7330608166566101604.
To learn more about YJJ, Thad and Kaila, and Your Jesus Journey, check out our ABOUT US section: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/learn-about-thad-and-kaila-and-the-journey-church-online.
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at www.YourJesusJourney.com!
Have you ever struggled to discern God's voice amidst the noise of modern life and spiritual claims? This jam-packed study guide is your essential tool for confidently navigating the world of prophets and prophecy, grounding your faith firmly in the Bible.
👆🏻 DON'T MISS THIS GUIDE👆🏻
Discerning God's Voice
This guide provides a comprehensive framework to move you from passive acceptance to active, confident discernment.
Understanding the Prophet's Role: It clarifies that a prophet is a spokesperson for God (naˉḇıˆʾ), contrasting the Old Testament role of authoritative, foundational revelation (forth-telling and foretelling) with the New Testament role of edification, exhortation, and comfort—always in harmony with the completed foundation of Scripture.
Prophecy vs. Word of Knowledge: You'll learn the key distinction between prophecy (a message for the church's well-being, applying biblical truth) and a word of knowledge (a divinely given, supernatural fact for ministry or guidance).
Your Spiritual Lie Detector: The guide equips you with three vital biblical tests for any message:
The Doctrine Test: Does the message align with the final authority of Scripture?
The Character Test: Does the person speaking the word exhibit the fruit of the Spirit?
The Fulfillment Test: Does any specific, verifiable prediction come true?
Hearing God for Yourself: Ultimately, your most reliable way to hear from God is through a personal relationship, focusing on the Bible as God's primary voice and prayer as a two-way conversation. When sharing a personal message, the guide emphasizes phrasing it humbly as an invitation, not a demand.
The Sure Foundation: Regardless of varying views on whether spiritual gifts continue today (Continuationism vs. Cessationism), the guide stresses that the closed canon of Scripture is your surest foundation, as the final, complete, and unchanging revelation from God.
Don't let uncertainty leave you vulnerable to deception; equip yourself to confidently test every word and embrace your own ability to hear God. Click the link and dive into this jam-packed tool today to secure your spiritual footing!
We've journeyed through the Bible, verse by verse, for over 15 books now! We take each passage and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks of plain English. Along the way, we uncover fascinating historical details and explore the cultural context, truly bringing the scriptures to life in a way that resonates. Forget dusty footnotes and words that send you reaching for a thesaurus – we make God's Word approachable and meaningful for everyone. And because we know you're eager to dig even deeper, make sure to subscribe to the Daily Bible Podcast and catch the video podcast each day that complements these blogs!
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus
Such a vital teaching for all growing believers.