New Hope Daily SOAP: Ezra 4

Pastor Vicki Harrison

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Ezra 4:4-5,  Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Work on the temple has begun and there is much opposition.  The chapter begins with the enemies of God’s people saying they wanted to help with the building.  But their motives were not genuine.  They may have acknowledged the Lord God but they also worshiped many other gods.  Zerubabbel, Joshua, and the heads of the other families declined their offer of “help.”  Then, the enemies of God’s people began to do all they could to discourage the building of the temple.  The rest of the chapter lists the many ways, under several different kings, that the people tried to thwart the temple progress.

Whenever spiritual work is being done, wherever God’s Kingdom is being advanced, there will be opposition.  That is guaranteed!  The enemy likes nothing better than to try to stop the forward progress of God and his people.  But God is faithful, powerful, and will always prevail!  Maybe you are going through a spiritual battle right now; I think many of us are.  Keep in mind that opposition is inevitable but discouragement is not.  God is with us, friends.

Let’s pray…Almighty God, Thank you for being sovereign and true.  When there is opposition to your work in this world, help us stay strong and forge ahead.  More of you and less of me, Jesus.  Amen.