January WMB 2010

Ezra 1

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 4And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. 5Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.

The next few chapters list out who went with Zerubbabel. The foundation was restored and the altar set upright once again.

Ezra 4

4Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

Ezra 6

21And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, 22And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

We know the how the story goes; the work did not find a place of completion. Zerubbabel, then Ezra and now Nehemiah stepped in with a burden to finish the work.

Nehemiah 8

8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. 9And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

The Lord stirred their hearts and they strengthened their hands. It is recorded that the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6. The people were not afraid everyone did their part as they were separated along the wall. The enemy tried to dishearten but they were prepared and did not allow themselves to be discouraged. They were zealous for the work and the wall was completed in 52 days. Nehemiah 6:15.

Read: Isaiah 35; Isaiah 12:2-6; and Psalms 149.

The enemy would have us to stay in mourning, oppression, and frustration by pointing out what we do not possess or have not acquired. Let us prepare ourselves, strengthen our hands, and be zealous for both the Word and the work of the Lord. Our job is not completed!

We know from our studies in James that we are not saved by works however, faith without works is dead. Let us be ALIVE! We are not dead yet! There is strength left in us - our JOY is FULL! No more will we hang our harps on the willows! Let us march out in the front of the battle with rejoicing and praises before our Lord. The battle belongs to HIM. II Chronicles 20. God is the God of everything or He is not God at all.

The JOY of the LORD is our STRENGTH!