This morning I started the book of Ezra, it’s a continuation from 1 & 2 Chronicles with Nehemiah following…

Ezra takes place ~70 years after the exile of the Israelite’s out of the promised land. It is about the return, and the rebuilding of the temple and country. What struck me most this morning was the decree by king Cyrus of Persia:

Ezra 1:2-4
“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
” ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’ “

Wow, what a statement. Basically, everyone of the Israelite’s is free to go and we will help you do it. It reminds me as my commentary stated too that God is in charge of all kings and all kingdoms. He is the one who directs according to His will, and not our leaders. I often find that I am saddened by our leaders, their beliefs, their decisions, etc and I forget that if God wants to, He can change any heart, He can change any leader, He can change any kingdom/country when He wants to. He is not so powerless to let one or many leaders stand in His way.

So be encouraged today that you serve the King of kings! You serve the God who is in charge and who not only created everything that we know and see, but is actively running and sustaining it all! If you are one of His, you can stand on the promise that He has plans to do good work in your life today, maybe hard work, but good and for His glory in the end!!

(JP)