Ezra 6
We now read of a search being made in the archives in Babylon regarding Cyrus' decree for the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It is found in the palace at Achmetha and gives details of the temple structure, that the expenses should all be paid out of the King's treasury and that all the gold and silver captured by Nebuchadnezzer should be returned to the new temple.
King Darius writes a strongly worded letter to the Jews' enemies telling them that the work should not be hindered, but be given all things that they need from the King's goods and tribute. He warns that anyone who tries to interfere in the work will be hung. He orders that all should be carried out speedily.
The Jews' enemies quickly respond, the Jews continue building, and the temple is completed in the sixth year of King Darius' reign. We then read of the joyful dedication of the temple, the offerings and the correct order, followed by a joyful keeping of the passover later on in the same month.
I was feeling extra tired and a bit low this morning, wishing 'for wings like a dove' that I might 'fly away and be at rest'. To fly away from this pandemic, the gloomy predictions of the media, the talk of conspiracies, the conflicts, the restrictions, the ache from wanting to see loved ones, the long grey days, and from myself...and then I read these words in verse 22:
"...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".
Dear reader, do you need encouragement today? Has everything got to you? Sometimes when we feel like this we get stuck in it - we hear ourselves in our head saying over and over, 'Oh I feel so down, oh l'm so miserable...Oh I do feel so low'...and you can guarantee that you will continue to feel low and miserable, and probably make everybody around you feel miserable too! (If you are allowed to be with anybody!)
Well, take heart dear one, and look up:
I believe it is my Pastor, who I have heard tell the story of Martin Luther's wife Katy. When her husband was particularly mournful about something Katy dressed all in black. When Martin saw her he exclaimed, 'Why, who has died?!' 'God has!', she answered. Martin Luther immediately understood the message she was giving him. He, like us when we cannot shake off our gloom* are acting as if we do not have a powerful God in heaven, who loves us and works on our behalf!
Let us be encouraged by the words in this chapter today! The Jews were in such a difficult situation. They had returned from captivity with this huge task of rebuilding the temple, whilst surrounded by enemies who were doing their best to stop the work. But look how God works! The Jews' hearts must have sunk when their enemies wrote to King Darius about what was going on, but God made this a blessing. The strongly worded letter with which Darius responded not only confirmed that the Jews should continue, but continue speedily, with all expenses and sacrifices provided for out of the king's goods and that any who hindered them should be hung and his house ruined.
Doesn't this speak to you that God is in control of all things! God is powerful, his plans WILL come to pass. When all looks bleak and impossible to us, he can bring good out of it, and make impossibilities possible. God knows the end from the beginning. Why do we fret, dear reader? Our poor weak, human hearts! Let us like these Jews be joyful for what he does, has done and will do! For when the Lord works, he gives a deep joy which is nothing like the flashes of happiness which arise and fall depending on our circumstances.
(*I am not discrediting the need for medical help if suffering from the debilitating effects of clinical depression)
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