Good morning!
Text: Ezra 5-7; Psalm 117.
Yesterday in Ezra we saw how the adversary was able to get work rebuilding the temple stopped. As we pick the story up in Ezra 5, we see how the Lord responds. In this case, the Lord sends prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, who bring the Word of God to the people. That Word, by the way, is in the books of the Bible bearing their names… so it is for us, too. Beyond just words of encouragement, the Word of God is also powerful. Remember it was God’s Word that created the universe. As soon as the prophets speak, things begin to happen. King Darius overturns the decree of his predecessor, the temple work resumes and is completed.
And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. (Ezra 6:16)
How does this story speak to us today? If we find ourselves stymied, stopped in our tracks by the schemes of the devil or some circumstance, it does not mean we are finished. Our God is a living God. He is at work. If it is indeed the Lord’s will for a thing to happen, it will indeed happen. The saying, “if there is a will, there is a way,” takes on new meaning when the will in question is not our own, but is the will of the Lord of all Creation. So, if you are following the Lord, and have been stopped, frustrated, stumped and halted, do not despair. He will make a move. The traffic will clear. The drain will unclog. The obstacle will lift. The clock will resume. Our great God is unstoppable.
in Him, Mike