King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Friday, September 18, 2020
Chapters: Ezra 4-6, Psalm 137
Message: Get Back To Work
Hello My Friend,
Sometimes it is not easy being a Christian, we face constant criticism, not only from the world, but fellow Christians, especially when we are trying to serve God under His terms. You can be sure that once you start serving God obstacles will come your way to try and stop you. The amazing thing is that we do not have to worry about a thing because everything is in God’s hands and timing. The wicked may have their time of fun and glory in having hindered a Christian, but once God sets His mind on the purpose He has us on, He will stop at nothing for us to fulfill it, we might get hung up once in a while, but we will get back up because God is the one who brought us to it, [John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.]
This pandemic has created more trouble for the churches than anything else, mayors are forcing their doors to be closed under mandates that really have nothing to do with a virus, for if it did then people would not be allowed to protest in the streets, or rather destroy the streets. The world despises the true Church and will do anything to hinder or even shut it down. When the call came to the Jews in Babylon to rebuild the temple, they were so eager to get there and get it done. It started of great, the foundation was laid, and then something happened, the natives got word that the temple was being rebuilt, and they were not happy about it.
[Ezra 4:1-5 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; 2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. 4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, 5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.]
[to frustrate their purpose,] Frustrate; To break or interrupt. These people did everything they could to get them so frustrated that they would quit. And they did for a time, the king even ordered them to stop working and they stopped. For fourteen years the temple remained unfinished while the Jews attended to rebuilding the city. It took the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to remind them that it was time to get back to work.
[Ezra 5:1-4,11-13 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. 3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? 4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? 11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. 12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. 13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.]
[We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth,] This time they knew God was with them and nothing would stop them. No one has the right to stop us from doing what God has called us to do. And no one has the authority to stop us from living the way God wants us to live. They cannot force us to stop preaching that homosexuality is sin, abortion is murder, or that there are only two genders. Oh, they will try to stop us, and many will cease the work of God because they will cave under pressure, but we serve the one and only living God. While many of the churches did close due to the mandates from the pandemic, but the time came when the their faith superseded the mandates and the churches began to open again. Some of the churches are even getting fined for being open, but their faith will always be noticed by God, and He will see them through, [I Timothy 4:8-10 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.]
It is fear and discouragement that puts our efforts to serve God to a stopping halt, that is where other Christians, whom have endured what we have to come in and help encourage us to get back on track. While we are subject to complying with the laws of the land, God’s law supersedes laws that would cause us to go against His Word. We must remember, that this is God’s battle and it is against Satan, and if we trust Him, and continue to do His work, He will see us through it. Now, after Haggai and Zachariah encouraged them, the work of the temple resumed, and yes, they still tried to stop them, but this time it did not work.
[Ezra 6:1-3,6-7,13-14 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. 2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written: 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; 6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: 7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place. 13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily. 14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.]
[Let the work of this house of God alone;] The king not only returned a message saying they could continue rebuilding the temple, they were not to hinder them in any way, and were even told to give them everything they needed to get the work done. When life sets us back from doing the things that even God wants us to do, we cannot throw in the towel and give up, we must get back up and keep going. God is with us, He really is, and the times you think that He is no where to be found, that is when He is preparing us and making things ready for us. Never forget that the things we do for God have nothing to do with what we getting on earth, we already have the Kingdom of God awaiting us. Never let the trials of this life take away your joy in knowing that one day, all the trials, pain, and suffering will be over, and we will be with Jesus. Amen! Psalm 137 was written during the time of the Jews captivity as a reminder to them that God never forgets His people, no matter where they are, neither are we to forget that we have His Kingdom awaiting us.
[Psalms 137:1-6 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land? 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. 6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.]
[if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.] Those who are glad over the suffering that sometimes comes to God’s people shall not go unpunished, those who mock their grief will endure much eternal grief themselves. Sometimes, we are not in any position to do the things we plan to be doing, but with a little faith and trust in God, we will get right back up and move forward as He sees fit. If we try to do everything in our own strength we will fail, but with God backing us up, there is nothing He will not do for us. Remember, He has a purpose for all of us, we will not leave the earth until it is fulfilled, [Ephesians 1:9-12 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.]
Today’s Prayer: God, I know that You have work for me to do, I also know that life can trouble my heart to keep me from doing that work. Lord, I will not let my heart be troubled by the constant opposition that comes my way, I want to serve You according to Your Word, Lead me, guide me, give me Your power to learn, discern, and endure all those who oppose me. Keep me safe, protected, and uplifted so that I can finish the work You have called me to do. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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