When was the last time fear or discouragement crippled you from doing something for God? You might have started a project, but may opposition voices prevented you from carrying on. You might have determined a direction, but felt that you were just swimming upstream. What did you do to overcome these obstacles?

In Ezra 5, the Word of God revealed to the Israelites encouraged them to resume the works on the temple in unity. It was not a new information to rebuild the temple of God, but the Word of God, through the prophesy of Haggai and Zechariah, refreshed the Israelites through their discouraging circumstances. The Word of God confronted the sins of the Israelites – because of discouragement, they had languished into their inaction, and had neglected God’s house. The Word of God gave the Israelites hope that God’s grace will be upon them if they repent from their sins of inaction and neglect. The Word of God redirected them to what was most important, and helped them to prioritise God’s work and Kingdom, as well as to love their Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.

Dear brothers and sisters, are you in a season of discouragement? Read the Word of God. Are you in a deep valley? Read the Word of God. Are you in a season of joy or on a mountaintop? Read the Word of God. God speaks to us through His Word, and we can encounter Him when we return to His Word. His Word reorients us, and helps us to know God and follow Him. His Word also forces us from a position of inaction to a position of action. The Word of God compels us to rise up, to serve Him, to worship Him, and to love Him through loving others. And if that is not enough, Ezra 5 also reminds us that God’s watchful eye is on us – we can trust in His sovereignty, we can trust in His provision, we can trust in His protection, we can trust Him.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. ~Isaiah 60:1

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to turn to You during times of discouragement, help me to trust in you, and to complete the work you have entrusted to me. May my life speak of the gospel of Christ, so that people around me may be pointed to you. In Jesus Christ’s most precious name I pray, Amen.