Ezra 8:21-23 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way, for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance….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. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.
For Ezra and the large contingent of Jews, the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem would be arduous and dangerous. He was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen, for he had told the king that God would be with them and guard them. He believed God to take care of them.
Therefore, before setting out, he had the people fast and pray and seek the Lord for the right and safe way forward. The fasting is an outward reminder of an inner attitude of trust in God. And the Lord heard their prayer; He brought them safely to Jerusalem. The fasting and seeking the Lord focuses our attention on God, His Word and His promise. The fasting and seeking the Lord is naturally what we do when undertaking a dangerous endeavor. Placing it all in God’s hands is our response to need and crisis. And it is enough.