Thurs.’s Devo - Divine Reversals

Read: Ezra 4:24-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23: Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27 Construction on the Temple had stopped during Artaxerxes’s reign. When Darius came to power, the prophets of Judah began prophesying to the people to start building again because God would be with them. Zerubbabel and Jeshua responded and began building the Temple. *** The governor of the province, Tattenai showed up with his entourage and wanted to know who had approved their building project. He wanted the names of everyone working on it. He sent a letter to Darius explaining what was going on and what their reasoning was. The Jews claimed that Cyrus had decreed the Temple be built when he ruled and had promise to finance it from his treasury. *** Darius had the archives searched for the decree and sure enough, they were right. He ordered Tattenai to pay all the costs of the construction out of the taxes he collected and to support them with all their needs. He was to give them animals and supplies they would need for their offerings and sacrifices. What a divine turn of events. What the enemy meant for harm turned into the biggest blessing of all. That is what God does for us when we obey and do what he calls us to do, no matter the opposition. *** The people were able to complete the Temple with much joy. They celebrated the Passover that year and the people returned to worship the Lord. *** Paul explains that we are also building the Temple of the Lord, but now it is in our hearts. The emphasis should not be on the person who lead us to the Lord and taught us, but Jesus who is the reason we are the Temple. We are all just laborers for the Lord - his servants. We should not get the glory because the glory belongs to the Lord. *** Lord, thank you for the divine reversals you have done in our lives. Thank you for Holy Spirit who leads, guides, teaches and comforts us. May we be diligent about building and maintaining our temples. May they shine for your glory.