Day 142

Return to Rebuilding

Read: Ezra 5-7

Under pressure from neighbors who opposed it, the work of rebuilding the temple was halted. Good work must not only be started; it must be continued until the goal is reached. Is there any good work which you began but have laid aside? Take it up again. The Bible says, “Do not be weary in well-doing” (2 Thess. 3:13).

Under the prodding of two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, they returned to rebuilding the temple. Pastors, those who speak God’s Word today, ought to be in the forefront of revival in the church.

When the neighbors again object, the Jews do not stop their work but continue, while they send for a clarification to the king of Persia. The decree of Cyrus to rebuild is discovered, and those who had tried to stop the work are commanded to support it. Finally the temple is completed with great joy.

Ezra had not gone with the first group to return from exile, but now he is the leader of a second group. He is a scribe, a man familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures that had been written up to this point. He receives the support of the king and recognizes this as the work of God. “Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD” (7:27). May God work in the hearts of many in our day who will work for revival in the church.

PRAYER
Father, help us to return again and again to the important task of working for revival. In Jesus’ name. Amen.