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."
This phrase speaks to God’s benevolence towards those who seek Him and His judgment against those who turn away.
Here are some King James Version (KJV) Bible verses that convey similar themes of God’s favor towards the righteous and His judgment against the wicked:
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- Proverbs 8:17: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
- Psalm 34:15-16: “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.”
- Isaiah 59:1-2: “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
- Jeremiah 29:13: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
- Nahum 1:2-3: “God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”
- Hebrews 10:30-31: “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
These verses emphasize the dual nature of God's response to humanity: His favor and protection for those who earnestly seek Him, and His judgment against those who turn away or act wickedly. They remind believers of the importance of maintaining a genuine relationship with God and the consequences of forsaking His ways.
Personalizing The Above As Christian Affirmations
Ezra 8:22
- I am confident in the LORD’s protection on my journey.
- I will not fear the enemy, for the hand of my God is upon me for good because I seek Him.
- I am assured that the LORD’s power is with me, as I do not forsake Him.
Proverbs 8:17
- I am loved by the LORD because I love Him.
- I will seek the LORD early, and I am certain that I will find Him.
Psalm 34:15-16
- I am under the watchful eyes of the LORD because I strive to be righteous.
- I will call upon the LORD, knowing His ears are open to my cry.
- I am aware that the LORD’s face is against those who do evil, and I will avoid iniquity.
Isaiah 59:1-2
- I am reassured that the LORD’s hand is not too short to save, nor His ear too heavy to hear.
- I will seek reconciliation with the LORD, for my sins have separated me from Him.
Jeremiah 29:13
- I am seeking the LORD with all my heart.
- I am confident that when I search for the LORD wholeheartedly, I will find Him.
Nahum 1:2-3
- I am mindful that the LORD is just and will avenge wrongdoing.
- I will remember the LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and I am comforted that He is just.
Hebrews 10:30-31
- I am aware that vengeance belongs to the LORD, and He will repay.
- I will live with reverence, knowing it is a serious thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
I Love Them That Love Me; and Those That Seek Me Early Shall Find Me
Also see: Hereby Ye Shall Know That the Living God Is Among You
Proverbs 8:17: "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."
“I love them that love me”: This part of the verse emphasizes the reciprocal nature of God’s love. It suggests that those who show their love for God, through obedience and devotion, will in turn be loved by Him.
“and those that seek me early”: Seeking God “early” can mean both early in life and early in one’s daily routine—prioritizing God above all else. It implies earnestness and diligence in one’s spiritual pursuit.
“shall find me”: This phrase gives assurance that God is accessible to those who genuinely search for Him. It promises that God’s presence and favor are not elusive to those who are dedicated in their quest to know Him.
The verse, as a whole, offers a clear and direct promise: love and seek God, and you will find Him. It encourages an active relationship with the divine, assuring that such efforts are met with the certainty of God’s reciprocal love and presence.
The Eyes of the LORD Are Upon the Righteous, and His Ears Are Open Unto Their Cry
Psalm 34:15-16: "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth."
“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous”: This part tells us that God watches over those who are virtuous and just. Being “righteous” means living in a way that is morally right or justifiable.
“and his ears are open unto their cry”: Here, it’s clear that God is not only watching but also listening. When the righteous call out or pray, He hears them.
“The face of the LORD is against them that do evil”: On the flip side, God opposes those who commit evil acts. The “face of the LORD” symbolizes His presence and attention, which in this case is turned against wrongdoers.
“to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth”: Lastly, this implies that those who do evil will not be remembered on earth. Their legacy or memory will be removed, showing the consequences of their actions.
Behold, the LORD’s Hand Is Not Shortened, That It Cannot Save; Neither His Ear Heavy, That It Cannot Hear
Isaiah 59:1-2: "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”
This part reassures us that God has the power to save and is always attentive. It implies that God is omnipotent and always listening. God’s ability to save is limitless, and His awareness of our needs is constant.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
This segment confronts a harsh truth: it’s our own sins and iniquities that create a divide between us and God. Our wrongdoings act as a barrier. They are like a thick fog that clouds our connection with Him, resulting in a feeling that He has turned away and will not respond to our calls.
The passage is a poignant reminder of the consequences of our actions and the inherent purity and holiness of God, which cannot be associated with sin.
Ye Shall Seek Me, and Find Me, When Ye Shall Search for Me with All Your Heart
Jeremiah 29:13: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
“And ye shall seek me, and find me”: This encourages the idea that God is accessible to those who actively look for Him. It suggests a promise of spiritual discovery and communion.
“when ye shall search for me with all your heart”: The phrase emphasizes sincerity and devotion. It implies that a half-hearted or insincere approach is insufficient. The heart, in the biblical sense, often represents the core of one’s being, encompassing mind, soul, and spirit.
The verse underlines that finding God requires a deep, earnest pursuit rather than a casual or indifferent inquiry. It speaks to a personal, introspective journey of faith where one's entire being is involved in the quest for the divine.
The LORD Is Slow to Anger, and Great in Power, and Will Not at All Acquit the Wicked
Also see: The Tabernacle of God Is with Men: He Will Dwell With Them
Nahum 1:2-3: "God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."
- “God is jealous”: This indicates that God has an intense commitment to His people and desires their exclusive devotion. In biblical terms, jealousy is not the negative emotion we associate with humans but a passionate commitment to protect what is rightfully His.
- “the LORD revengeth, and is furious”: Here, the Lord’s response to sin and injustice is described with strong language—He is one who takes action against wrong.
- “the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries”: It emphasizes that God will actively confront and judge those who oppose Him or harm His people.
- “he reserveth wrath for his enemies”: God’s judgment is certain for His enemies, which in this context refers to those who are morally and spiritually opposed to Him and His ways.
- “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power”: Despite the intense emotions and power attributed to God, He is patient, not quick to anger, giving people time to repent.
- “will not at all acquit the wicked”: God’s justice is uncompromising when it comes to evil; He will not declare the guilty to be innocent.
- “the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet”: This imagery portrays God’s control over the natural world. The whirlwind and storm, often symbols of chaos, are under His command, suggesting His sovereignty and majesty.
These verses from Nahum depict God as a being of intense emotion and power, who is deeply committed to His people, patient in His response to sin, but ultimately just and sovereign over all creation.
Vengeance Belongeth Unto Me, I Will Recompense, Saith the Lord
Hebrews 10:30-31: "For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
- “Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord”: This part of the verse is clear about one thing: God claims the right to avenge. In simpler terms, God is saying that payback is His job, not ours.
- “The Lord shall judge his people”: This is straightforward. God is the one who will make the final call on His people’s actions. It’s like the ultimate judge deciding what’s right or wrong for His followers.
- “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”: This is a strong way to say that facing God, especially if you’ve done wrong, is not something to take lightly. It’s scary because God is powerful and very much active, like a boss who sees everything.