Ezra Day 4: Keep on Building
Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4: 4-5
Somedays, I’m cruising along in good spirits, doing my best to live my life well and walk with the Lord.
Until something comes along and unexpectedly changes my situation in ways I don’t appreciate. Suddenly, my bright outlook turns towards discouragement as I decide how to move forward.
In Chapter 4 of Ezra, we find the Israelites rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, a monumental task that will take years to complete. Jerusalem was full of people of different nationalities and religious backgrounds. As the Israelites pushed forward to complete the Temple, they met resistance from the surrounding people. Their enemies worked hard to discourage them and thwart their progress.
Scripture reveals the enemy’s tactics - discouragement and fear. (Ezra 4:4)
Well, gosh, if that isn’t the same for you and me. We have our own enemies — human and spiritual — constantly bombarding us with discouragement and fear. Maybe you’ve noticed, like I have, that the closer you get to God, the more diligently you work for His kingdom, the harder the enemy pushes against you.
This shouldn’t surprise us. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Satan wants you to stand down. He desires you to stop growing in your relationship with God. He wants you to cease displaying Jesus to the people around you and stop walking God's path for your life.
Satan aims for you to stop strengthening the altar of your heart.
If your enemy can knock you down, keep you wounded and afraid, discourage you to the point where you give up, and diminish your effectiveness for God’s kingdom — then he’s won.
Satan was the initiator of the discouragement and fear surrounding the Israelites as they built the Temple. Despite his tactics, the Israelites kept building. They continued the work on the Temple, pushing forward with God’s plan. I’m sure it wasn’t easy. I’m guessing there were days they wanted to throw in the towel. They probably questioned God’s plan from time to time.
Nonetheless, they kept going until the job was done.
That, my friend, is the reminder you and I need to hear.
We have an enemy, but we also have a Heavenly Father, ready and willing to give us more than we need to continue to walk with Him. You will find doubt and fear as you obey God in a dark, broken world. Naysayers and discouragers will try to knock you off course.
If you are rooted and anchored in God’s power, His spirit dwells in you, giving you everything you need to keep pushing forward and bring Him glory.
Ephesians 3:16 is a powerful encouragement, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Stand firm, friend. What you are building for God’s kingdom is important.