After a time of opposition the building plan has finally been reaffirmed! As we have seen the last few days as we have been walking through Ezra, there have been people who have stood against the building of the temple. In this chapter, we get to see the completion of the temple! We also see that the people of Israel celebrated the Passover, as one’s who had returned from exile. God had been working and moving in the hearts of many different people to accomplish his purpose.
What is important for us to recall today is the faithfulness of the Lord. In verse 22 it says: “And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.” The people’s hearts were filled with joy following the Lord fulfilling His promises.
When we think of this joy in light of the opposition that faced the people just a few chapters ago, we are reminded, like we are so often in scripture, that God is in control even when situations seem like they have lost all hope.
When is the last time that you have lost hope? What was your natural response to that? If it was not to trust God, why do you think that was? What does that say about your heart?
By: Graham Withers