Open times, but problematic ways ahead. What does it take to pass safely? Ezra led the Jewish exile from Babylon in about 457. The journey that began with the Persian King’s blessing & loads of gifts encountered an obstacle as the way forward was infested with mighty robbers.

As they camped by the Ahava canal, Ezra weighed his options: “I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers…because we had told the king, ‘The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him’….So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer” (Ez 8:22-23). An unseen, yet trustworthy God was chosen over a willing king with readily available force. 
Go with God!