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“May you and I trust God to show us how to overcome the obstacles others place in our way.” <>< Dona (06/19/20)
Please read Ezra 4 through 6. If you don’t have a Bible handy just click here -> Biblegateway.com. The Biblegateway website should open for you to use. Type in the chapters you want to read and select the translation you want to read them from. Click search and the chapters should appear. Once you read the suggested chapters close the screen and you should return here.
In Ezra 4 first there was false support voiced by Israel’s enemies concerning the rebuilding of the temple. And then there was opposition to the rebuilding of the temple by the same group of people.
Response
Oh! Wow! Lord, the people living around the Israelites tried to interfere with the rebuilding of the temple.
Something to think about
Though these disruptors claimed to worship the same God as the Israelites, they also worshipped other gods. So Zerubbabel told them they could have no part in building God’s temple.
Something to experience
Believers can expect opposition when they do God’s work (II Timothy 3:12). Discouragement and fear are two of the greatest obstacles to the completing of God’s work. We need to move ahead with the work God has planned for us. And we need to trust God to show us how to overcome the obstacles others place in our way. By standing together with other believers, we can overcome fear and discouragement and complete God’s plans.
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In Ezra 5:1-7 Haggai and Zechariah, two of God’s prophets, were involved in the rebuilding of the temple.
Response
Oh! Wow! Lord, Haggai and Zechariah, were there to preach Your Word.
Something to think about
Haggai and Zechariah probably encouraged and strengthened the Israelites. They not only preached but they were involved in the labor of rebuilding the temple.
Something to experience
Speaking God’s Word is a type of prophesying – a way of speaking forth God’s plan into another’s life (I Corinthians 14:3). Is there someone in your life who speaks words of encouragement to you? Perhaps you could encourage those who have been encouraging you. Seek scripture with which to share and encourage others.
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In Ezra 5:8-17 The Persian governor and Israel’s elders had a confrontation.
Response
Oh! Wow! Lord, this confrontation could have been intimidating to the Israelites.
Something to think about
But the elders instead replied they were the servants of the God of heaven and earth and they were rebuilding the temple according to King Cyrus’ decree. They encourage the governor to search the royal archives to see if their facts were right.
Something to experience
It’s not easy standing up for our faith in an unbelieving world. Though the way to deal with the pressure and intimidation from those who are not supportive is to recognize that we are called for God. He is our King. He is our Leader. We can let others know by our loving words and our kind actions who we serve.
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In Ezra 6 it was pointed rebuilding the temple was first commanded by God and then by the kings, who were God’s instruments.
Response
Oh! Wow! Lord, how wonderful that Your work was carried on because of the discovery of a note in a pagan library.
Something to think about
All the opposition of powerful forces was stopped by a clause in a legal document. God’s will is supreme over all rulers, all events, and all enemy forces.
Something to experience
God can deliver us in ways we can’t imagine. If we trust in His power and love, no opposition can stop us.
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Prayer