September 26: Ezra 6:7-12
Key Verse: Ezra 6:7
Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site.
Devotion:
When God has set something in motion there are always going to be a set of people who object to what is going on, not because it is wrong but because they want something out of what is happening – normally through personal pride and greed! Sometimes God will take it to the highest levels to ensure things get done.
During this time in our history, the king had heard from the prophets how they should allow the Jew to rebuild the temple so they could worship God. As soon as some of the other leaders heard what was going on and how certain riches should be returned to the Jews so they could be put back in the temple, the greedy leaders objected and tried to stop the work.
They bribed official and tried to make it very difficult for the Jews to keep going… but God had already stepped in… A governor wrote a letter to King Darius to try and stop things. Darius went through the royal archives and found the original decree of King Cyrus which stated the royal treasury should be paying for the temple to be rebuilt! God made sure that document had survived!
When we start working for God and listen to what He wants from us, we can be sure things will fall into place as we do the work. But we can also be sure someone is going to object because of their pride and greed! We need to remain faithful to God and continue His good works!
Points to Ponder:
Do you get upset with people objecting to you doing God’s Work?
Will you stay faithful to what God is asking of you?