Ezra 4-6

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Dedication

 

Through a variety of tactics (infiltration, sabotage and government edict) the enemy devised ways to prevent the exiles from rebuilding the temple. But their efforts eventually failed, because they were not just attempting to subvert the construction of a temple, but the will of God. For a time, the enemy thought they had succeeded because they had persuaded the king to issue a stop-work order. And the exiles believed they had been defeated. But God was doing a work behind the scenes - a miraculous work that would finally gather the exiles together in Jerusalem for the joyous dedication of the temple. Perhaps these Psalms were a comfort to many while they waited for the fulfillment of God’s will: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (Psalms 37:7); "I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope" (Psalm 130:5); and "The LORD favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness" (Psalm 147:11). Dear Father, help us to take comfort in Your word when we can’t see Your hand working, when the enemy seems to triumph, and Your people seem defeated. May we “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).  Be our strength, O LORD, and our salvation in the time of distress (Isaiah 33:2) And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).