8:1-36
- The return of God’s people to Jerusalem was not simply a
geographical return - moving from one place to another. It was a
spiritual return. They were returning to the Lord. They were seeking His
blessing (21). Without God’s blessing, we are nothing. We may have
happy memories of better days, recalling ‘the good old days’. We may
look back to times of blessing, remembering how the hand of the Lord was
upon us. If this is all we have, we have nothing. We are no longer in
the place of blessing. We need to return to the Lord. The times of
blessing can come again. God gives us His promise: ‘The hand of our God
is for good upon all that seek Him’ (22). God wants to bless us. How
much do we want to be blessed by Him? If the times of blessing are to
return to us, we must ‘return to the Lord’ (Isaiah 55:6-13).
Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Ezra 6-7
Ezra
6:1-7:28
- God’s work makes good progress when God’s people receive strength
from God’s Word. Haggai and Zechariah were faithful in preaching God’s
Word to the people. Their preaching ministry was very important. It was
just what the builders needed. It inspired them to keep working. God’s
House was rebuilt and God’s people rejoiced (6:14-16). The rebuilding
of God’s House was followed by the ministry of God’s servant, Ezra.
‘The hand of the Lord was upon Ezra’ (7:6,28). His ministry was blessed
by the Lord. In Ezra’s ministry of the Word, there are three vital
elements - studying, doing and teaching (7:10). Ezra did not only study
and teach God’s Word. He did God’s Word. Obedience lies at the heart of
true ministry. This is the kind of ministry that God blesses - an
obedient ministry.
Ezra 4-5
Ezra
4:1-5:17
- God’s work does not always move forward smoothly. We face determined
opposition. Where there is opportunity, there will be opposition (1 Corinthians 16:9).
The servants of Satan rise up to oppose the servants of the Lord. This
is what happens here. The Lord’s enemies had some success: ‘the work on
the House of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill’. This was, however,
only a temporary setback. God gave new strength to His servants. He sent
His ‘prophets, Haggai and Zechariah’. They brought His Word to the
people. Strengthened by their ministry of God’s Word, ‘Zerubbabel...
arose and began to rebuild the House of God in Jerusalem’ (4:24-5:2).
God’s work was back on track. His people were moving forward - again.
When your head goes down, let the Lord come to you. He will lift you up!
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