‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the Temple that was built here many years ago by a great king of Israel. (Ezra 5:11 NLT)
What a wonderful example of courage in the face of one’s enemies! The enemy of God’s people never wants them to succeed. He never wants them to come to God’s house. He never wants them to rebuild God’s house. The enemy of God’s people never wants them to obey God. He will always challenge them in such a way as to make them doubt whether their actions are correct.
Yet, the Prophets of God — Haggai and Zechariah — had preached powerful messages to the people of God. And the leaders of God’s people — Zerubbabel and Joshua — were inspired to rebuild the House of God. It was a marvelous project! Rebuilding God’s House was a huge project of immense proportions and implications.
Here in Ezra’s narrative, we sense the fear of the enemy of God. The enemy knew the results of rebuilding the House of God. A rebuilt temple would inspire the people of God. The rebuilt temple would restore the faith and confidence of God’s people. Success of this project would “call” to the dispersed people of God to return to the Land of God. The enemy knew that success would make the people of God powerful again and the purpose of God would be achieved.
So the enemy — Tatnai and Shetharboznai — challenged the builders. The response is classic! “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth . . .” I don’t mean to be preachy today, yet I feel that I must exhort us to consider what we are called to do and remember — remind ourselves if necessary — that we are the servants of God . . . the Creator and Lord of all the universe. God has inspired us! God has commissioned us!
The project is not ours. The project is God’s! Your God-inspired-project may be to simply live righteous in an unrighteous environment, but remember that God put you there. You are God’s servant!
Dear Father, thank you for calling us to be your servants. Empower us with the intestinal and spiritual fortitude to achieve your purposes. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as God’s servant,