God Always Wins
Today, we are reading chapters 8 and 9 and we are reminded that God always wins in the end. Chapter 8 tells Ezra's return to Jerusalem with about 5,000 men, women, and children, how they prepared, and how GOD protected them on their journey.
Chapter 9 tells how the people started to inter-marry (exogamy) with the different tribes, the tribes GOD had not wanted them to become mixed up with. GOD knew if they intermarried it would weaken their religious identity, especially the priest and Levites.
The canal of Ahava was one of the many canals that radiated out from the Euphrates River near Babylon (8:15)
In verse 8:21 you will read where they fasted. The act of fasting is a process leading to purification and humbling oneself before GODEzra's journey across the desert was a dangerous one. They were traveling around 900 miles, without a military escort, with large quantities of gold and silver. No wonder they fasted and sought GOD's protection. God always wins!
Our Bible has so many words that we do not recognize. But, each of these words that we do not know, have very profound meanings, and can impact our readings in a whole new light. For example, Ahava in Hebrew means this deep intense love. So, as you are reading Ezra 8:15 it states that they assembled at the canal that flows towards Ahava (Love) see how this word is used in v.15, 21, 31. Word studies are very interesting!
Scripture
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.
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Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits.
Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.
Thought For the Day
This is a great "Behind the Scenes" story that we have an opportunity to see that God will always win in the end. So, let us take a look at the big picture of the rebuilding of the Temple and see if there is anything that we can apply to our lives.
After GOD put it in Cyrus' heart to rebuild the temple, do you think that it was an easy task?
No, it was going to be a hard task, in fact it says in Chapter 3:3 that the people went on building even though they were in fear of the people around them.
Do you think that satan was happy that the temple was going to be rebuilt? NO, satan had won the battle (he will win little battles here on earth, but, we know how the story ends....God Always Wins!) the temple was destroyed and GOD's people were in captivity. The last thing that satan wanted was for his work to be undone. That is why in chapter 4:4 we read about how satan used people to discourage the people of Judah from progressing. Read verse 12-15 and you will see the people in opposition lied and used money to influence the king to stop production.
Yes, satan did again win a little battle, but he was no match for our God as will always win in the end! The people of Judah wrote a letter back, and instead of a counter attack, they spoke the truth, and challenged the king to search the truth (5:17) satan and man were no match for GOD.
GOD changed the attitude of the king of Assyria and the building resumed again.
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Doing GOD's Work is Never Easy - It is a labor of LOVE for our King. I hope that none of us experience to the point of being in fear of your life, as the people of Judah were, but sometimes it can be an up hill battle. Never quit, and let us always encourage each other. We all need that!satan Will Win Little Battles - It is OK. GOD allows satan to win those little battles, so we become stronger and closer to Christ. Do not let those little losses bother you. Press on. Let the little pip squeak think he is winning.
Always Speak the Truth - When the people of Judah were told to stop, they could have told another lie or attacked the other people involved, but they chose to speak the truth with humility. People can't argue with the truth, it will always shine through.
GOD Always WINS!!! - KNOW this, LIVE everyday like this. There may be little battles lost here and there, but WE WIN. Never loose sight of that!
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus
A restful Sabbath Father, thank You. Father I pray today that we walk away from this devotional with a closer look at You and a better understanding. I pray Father that we will always keep it in our minds that You are there with us in our battles and that satan can not defeat us. I pray Father for those that need rest in Your name and that they find it.
I love You and pray in Your Great Name, Amen.
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