Daily Devotions with Pastor Jim Cymbala

In the book of Ezra, just as the temple was completed and priests were installed according to the divine blueprint given through Moses and David, God has a clear design for His people. Today God is building the church as His living temple, with Jesus Christ as the essential foundation. Following the divine plan means committing to prayer, fellowship, sharing, and the breaking of bread together. Let’s be encouraged that as we continue doing the Lord’s work according to His pattern, our labor is never in vain.

n the Book of Ezra, local opposition tried to halt the rebuilding of the temple, yet God turned what looked like an impending disaster into an extraordinary blessing for His people. Even when opposition tries to destroy the work of God, His sovereign hand ensures that the clouds we dread are often filled with His mercy. Because God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, situations that seem designed to stymie us can ultimately advance His purpose.

In the book of Ezra, God’s prophets stepped forward to support and encourage a discouraged people as they resumed rebuilding the temple. While prophetic ministry includes correction, its ultimate purpose in times of weariness is to build up and inspire hope. Because God still speaks today, churches need a direct word from the Lord through biblical prophetic ministry.

Throughout history, God has raised up leaders and prophets to speak His truth and declare His perspective over our circumstances. True prophetic ministry is a divine gift that cannot be taught, as it originates entirely from God. Because false prophets have always existed, every message must be carefully tested against the Word of God and evaluated by others.

The people rebuilding the temple faced a new obstacle when the Israelites’ enemies sent false accusations to the king in an attempt to stop the work. Their story reminds us that false claims and twisted truths can be used to discourage us and hinder what God is doing. We must not let the lies of others or the accusations of the enemy shake our confidence in what God has called us to do.