Boasting About Yahweh

I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions. I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who abandon Him.” So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and He granted our request.
(Ezra 8:21-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®)

Ezra boasted about the character of Yahweh, and was then ashamed to ask an earthly king for help. He put himself in a place where faith was required, by declaring how good his God was, and then realized that he needed to stand in the place with faith. He passed over into a place where supernatural action was required in order to stay, and then burned the bridge that was the path back.

The only Person worthy to be surrendered to is Jesus. The only appropriate way out of the difficulties in our lives is through them, with Jesus.