Ezra 3-6

King Cyrus had issued a decree that the temple in Jerusalem was to be rebuilt after the exiles returned. This, however, met with resistance from those who hated God and the Jews. Work was stopped through the reigns of Xerxes and Artaxerxes. Then, Darius became the new Persian ruler. He was referred to the original decree from Cyrus which supported the re-institution of the temple and its worship process. He definitively commanded that the temple rebuilding be resumed with harsh penalties for whomever resisted it.

God’s people had to wait for some regime changes to occur, but He eventually brought about a political system that supported His Kingdom Work.

God’s people should carry on with prayer and trust, regardless of the political regime. they are under. God will ultimately accomplish His will.

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. [Rev. 11:15]

Ezra 1, 2

When you read Ezra, you immediately recognize that this is a man who gives attention to detail. Accurate numbers, correctly spelled names, detailed descriptions … this is the way he operated, and it put him in the Canon of Scripture.

When I was young, I often made the mistake of thinking that if others did not see things the way I did, they were a little off and more peculiar than me. I was wrong to feel that way. God gives giftings, abilities, interests to different people so that the accumulative effect can be more whole. If we didn’t have men like Ezra, we wouldn’t have the most accurate perspective. I would want someone like him handling my money … if I was a rich man.

Learn to appreciate the differences among members of the Body of Christ.

2 Chron. 35,36

Kings came and kings went in Judah and Israel. If they served the Lord and led the way David did, they succeeded. If they led the way wicked Ahab did, they had painful and disrespected ends. God’s power and control were not limited to the leader’s own morality. In fact, God’s treatment of a leader always reinforced His principles. Good ruler, good results. Bad ruler, bad results.

Christians are wise to steadfastly maintain their trust and faith in God regardless of the rulers and leaders they find themselves under. God has a supreme and all-powerful position of authority above them. In fact, they are sortof in a vise grip … between the Christian and the Lord. Keep praying, Christians.

2 Chron. 33, 34

Young King Josiah did a remarkable job of restoring God’s House. He commissioned skilled workers to perform the task of recovering from ruin the temple. He assigned the musical Levites to supervise the work

As a young man, I was the equivalent of a musical Levite. We built a large sanctuary at Hope Temple in Findlay Ohio. It would seat 2300 people. We filled it at large seasonal musical presentations. I remember working sometimes 14-15 hour days in its construction. I was the painter. Stain, varnish, wall paint … I did it all. We all worked hard and were proud of our accomplishment. Sadly, that building burned down in 1989 in one hour due to an electrical malfunction.?!?

The lesson I learned was that the only building worth investing in is the lives of God’s people, His True Sanctuary.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. [3 Jn. 1:4]

2 Chron. 31, 32

Hezekiah was a great king for most of his life. When challenged by the King of Assyria, he sought the protection of the Lord. God’s angel slew a great amount of Assyrians in one night and frightened them so that they fled to their homeland. That evil king was assassinated by his own sons for bringing such a defeat upon his people. God’s greatness overwhelmed his aggression with defeat.

God is SO MUCH GREATER than any challenge we face. As we praise the Lord, we release His greatness into our challenge. No foe is a match for God. Call upon Him in your distress and watch His angel demolish your enemy.

2 Chron. 28-30

King Hezekiah instituted a massive process of restoring God’s temple and worship according to the law and the way that David had served the Lord. This was greatly pleasing to the Lord. A tall order in this process was the ceremonial cleansing of the priests and Levites. They couldn’t just walk in and begin their service without becoming clean in their life and practices. God was picky about who stood before Him to minister. Remember, King Uzziah was stricken with leprosy as he presumptuously ministered to the Lord in his uncleanness.

The application to us is that God does desire us to live clean lives. A quest for purity of heart was commended by Christ Jesus … He said the pure in heart would SEE the Lord.

2 Chron. 25-27

The Jews have always been able warriors. The stories of their clashes with all neighboring cultures are frequent. Even Judah and Israel fought vicious wars against each other. On one occasion, Judah marched 10,000 enemy soldiers to the top of a cliff and pushed them off to their deaths. Even today, Israeli soldiers are some of the fiercest and most cunning in the world.

Actually, Christians are to be great warriors … in the spirit realm that is. We don’t war in the flesh – we war in the spirit. We are in a great clash/struggle against spiritual wickedness, both within our own heart and in the world around us. Jesus Himself is the Mighty Warrior of God and the Captain of the Hosts of Heaven. He leads us into battle and has NEVER LOST!

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; [2 Cor. 10:4]

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Have a great day and war against the Powers of Gluttony.

2 Chron. 22-24

King Joash took the throne of Judah at age 7. Under the tutelage of Jehoiada, the Godly priest, Judah saw a period of prosperity. Admirably, Joash had the temple repaired and restored to it former glory. However, when Jehoiada passed, the king accepted the bad advice of young princes who wanted to see the nation move away from serving God. This led to his downfall. His army was defeated by the much smaller Syrian army and he succumbed to his wounds from battle. He also murdered a Godly prophet who challenged his apostate position.

Leaders who resist God’s ways will eventually incur God’s punishment. We need to pray for government leaders who steer our nation away from God that they repent and turn.

2 Chron. 21

King Jehoram slaughtered all his siblings to prevent anyone from usurping him as king. To me, this is the ultimate of ambition … you are willing to do anything to get ahead. This sick kind of ambition leads to misery. God gave him a disease of the bowels and he only lasted until he was 40 years old. He paid a painful price for his murderous ambition.

Nobody likes this kind of person. He was not mourned when he died, and very little respect was paid to him at his passing.

On the contrary, when a leader puts others first, he endears people to him. His goal is that others succeed. This is the true heart of every caring parent. They want their offspring to succeed. These qualities are found in good leaders.

2 Chron. 19, 20

God gave a great victory to King Jehoshaphat and Judah, as recorded in a passage that has applications to the spiritual warfare we face today. He consulted the Lord when faced with an overpowering enemy. He appointed the Levites to praise the Lord with voices and instruments. God told him that it was God’s battle, not just his. This formula still works today.

Regardless of the obstacle placed in your way, when you call upon the Lord for help and focus on His greatness through your praise, He will fight your battle. Physical affliction, financial stress, tense human relationship struggles, geo-political emergencies … every battle can be brought under Christ’s victorious lordship. There may even be some plunder to absorb.