TODAY’S MEDITATION – “Who issued you a decree and authorized you to rebuild this temple and to restore this wall (shrine)?” (Ezra 5:3)

Most people expect restoration from the Lord. My brother, my sister, when we read all of this passage, especially verses 1 to 5, we read that God was indeed with His people to restore them. But on verse 3, some people stood up to try and hinder the plan of God. While you are down, nobody cares about you. But once the Lord starts restoring you, people tend to step in, and not always with good motives. That’s what this passage reveals to us.
My brother, my sister, be aware that even for your restoration, you have to keep your lamp on. Yes, this passage tells us this: “Now when the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, the son (grandson) of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, whose Spirit was over them” (Ezra 5:1). However, the non-Jews who lived nearby attempted to hinder the construction of the Temple. My friend, this is clear: when God starts to rebuild your temple, to restore you, know that the enemy will make sure to try and hinder God’s plan by making you more concerned with the things of this world than the things of God. You see, whenever we are trying to do God’s work, others may try to delay, confuse or frustrate us… but we can proceed confidently. God will always accomplish His purposes in our life, in our world no matter who attempts to block them. And, just as He watched over His children, He watches over us. Let’s therefore concentrate on God’s purpose and not be side-tracked by any distraction, intrigues or slander… The one in us, Jesus Christ through His Spirit, has already defeated the devil and his plans. Let’s trust in Him. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.