Even amidst opposition and pressure from the government in the region, the Israelites continued building the temple.
Yesterday, we noted that if we are following God’s direction for our lives, we will face opposition.
Today, let’s consider what our response to opposition should be.
The response of the elders of Judah provides a blueprint for us.
“We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and we are rebuilding this temple.”
They knew who they were and they knew what their calling was. We will never be effective in following God until we understand that we are His and until we grasp what He has called us to do with our lives.
Our ancestors angered God and He gave them over to captivity.
They knew their history. Acknowledging our own moral failures, both personal and corporate, is essential to moving forward. We can’t leave the past entirely in the past, because everything that exists today was built in that past and is a result of it.
King Cyrus issued a decree that the temple be rebuilt and returned all the gold and silver articles that Nebuchadnezzar had plundered. He freed the Israelites to return to Judah and rebuild the temple.
They knew what God had freed them from, and what their marching orders were when He did. To be effective in our calling, we must understand what God has done for us and why He has done it. Just as He gave the Israelites skills for building, He has crafted each of us, giving us unique gifts and talents, for the place in which He has set us.
What is your calling? What gifts has God given you and how has He shown you your purpose? What are you building?
Yesterday, we noted that if we are following God’s direction for our lives, we will face opposition.
Today, let’s consider what our response to opposition should be.
The response of the elders of Judah provides a blueprint for us.
“We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and we are rebuilding this temple.”
They knew who they were and they knew what their calling was. We will never be effective in following God until we understand that we are His and until we grasp what He has called us to do with our lives.
Our ancestors angered God and He gave them over to captivity.
They knew their history. Acknowledging our own moral failures, both personal and corporate, is essential to moving forward. We can’t leave the past entirely in the past, because everything that exists today was built in that past and is a result of it.
King Cyrus issued a decree that the temple be rebuilt and returned all the gold and silver articles that Nebuchadnezzar had plundered. He freed the Israelites to return to Judah and rebuild the temple.
They knew what God had freed them from, and what their marching orders were when He did. To be effective in our calling, we must understand what God has done for us and why He has done it. Just as He gave the Israelites skills for building, He has crafted each of us, giving us unique gifts and talents, for the place in which He has set us.
What is your calling? What gifts has God given you and how has He shown you your purpose? What are you building?
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