Ezra 8:22-23 NIV84 and Ezra 8:31 NIV84

Ezra puts it out there that he trusts in God to provide and protect. The time comes that he must behave in accordance with that, putting his money where his mouth is.

Ezra doesn't just take it for granted that God will protect him just because he declared it. Instead, he called the people to fast and pray, to make sure their relationship with God was in the right place.

Ezra then stepped out, and God answered their prayer. The hand of God was on them, and He protected them from enemies and bandits along the way.

What about me/us? Do we declare publicly that our faith and trust is in the Lord? When the going gets tough, do we believe it? Do we fast and petition our God about these things? Or do we wonder why we are struggling with enemies and bandits along the way.