GOD'S POWER FOR HIS PEOPLE

So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

(Ezra 6:14, NKJV)

In spite of opposition from local leaders, God empowered His people to complete the building of the Temple, with the aid of prophets and three Persians kings: Cyrus, Darius the Great, and Artaxerxes I.

Local officials tried to stop the building by lobbying the king of the Persian Empire, which controlled the region. For a time it did stop. When the building started again, the local officials wrote to Darius in an attempt to stop the building of the Temple. Darius commanded that the work continue and be funded from the taxes in that region. This turn of events allowed the project to be completed. God orchestrated it all.

From this account, we learn important principles of how God empowers His people.

God will stop the wicked to empower His people to accomplish His will.

The local officials were descendants of colonists from the Assyrian Empire who intermarried with Israelites left behind in Samaria and the surrounding region. Both the Assyrians and the Israelites of Samaria had fought with the people of Judah in the past. So, they were not enthusiastic about the prospect of a new Temple in Jerusalem. They did what they could to stop it.

In spite of their many efforts, the project was completed. God stopped their wicked plans so that His Temple could be rebuilt and worship restored. Wicked people cannot stop God's plans. Nor can they stop God's people when they are fulfilling God's plans. God is in control.

God will send His Word to empower His people to accomplish His will.

God sent two prophets to teach and encourage His people during this time, Haggai and Zechariah. The prophesies of both men are recorded in eponymous books in the Old Testament.

God's Word trains and inspires His people to accomplish His work. As believers, God communicates with us through His Word, giving us strength and wisdom to complete the task He has given us to do.

God will shape the world to empower His people to accomplish His will.

Three Persian kings ordered the rebuilding of the Temple and restoration of worship at the Temple. The first, Cyrus, claimed that God commanded his to issue his decree. Darius provided funding for the project. Artaxerxes I helped Ezra re-establish the ministry of the priests at the Temple and a ministry to teach the Word of God to the people. These kings were not Jews. They were Zoroastrians. They were kings of the greatest empire on earth in that day. The Jews were conquered exiles living in their land. They had no natural reason to support such and endeavor. Yet, God inspired them to do it.

God shapes the events of human history and the activities of world powers to accomplish His will. He is the true King of Kings. His rule over the universe is absolute. He will accomplish His purposes. Nothing and no one can stand in His way. In fact, though they may not know it, they are under His control. That does not mean that everything rulers do is condoned by God. The Persian kings did terrible, ungodly things that God did not approve of. But God used these wicked kings to accomplish His perfect will.

Don't let difficult, or seemingly impossible circumstances stop you from doing what God has clearly called you to do. When God gives you an assignment, He will empower you to complete it.