A PROPHECY OF FAITH

• DAY 195
• FEAR FILES: ISREAL
• SCRIPTURES: EZRA 5

Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.

EZRA 5:1-2

Dearly Beloved, do not underestimate the power of the Word of God to stir up faith and courage in you, even in a very depressing and hopeless situation. And as I learned from a friend recently, the word of God is the highest form of prophecy. In our text today, the children of Israel finally resume building the temple after work stopped for years because their enemies prevailed against them and got the King to sign a decree to stop them.

A Prophecy

Imagine how devastated they must have felt. God sent them on an assignment and the people that were opposing them won. That’s enough to make someone lose faith in God. Because when we’re doing the work of God, we expect that we will have the necessary protection and defense, and God gives provides these. But imagine that you were in this situation. You’re trying to preach the gospel, trying to do the right thing, the very thing God sent you to do and your opposition prevails. It is in this moment of despair that God sends His word through His prophets, Haggai and Zechariah and they speak hope to the people again. 

“Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ” Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. (Haggai, 1:2-7)

The king decreed for them to stop and they obeyed the decree of the king, but now God is saying that they have abandoned His temple in ruins while they were living in good houses. Zachariah also prophesies the restoration of Israel and how God is going to bring the people to Him. (Zechariah 1) The children of Israel were hearing all these words. The promise of restoration, the promise of God being with them and blessing them as they rebuild the temple. Hearing those words encouraged and strengthened their hearts and without delay, they resumed the construction.

Get A Word

As they started working again, they faced new opposition. It won’t be easy to simply go back to how things were. What’s interesting is that these weren’t the same enemies that caused them to stop before, this was a completely different group of people. Sometimes when your enemy dies, the issue doesn’t disappear. Just like faith can be passed down, opposition can also be inherited. Enemies can have children and pass on their hatred to them. However, the Bible tells us that God was protecting Israel. Why? Because they were obedient to His command to rebuild the Temple. As a result, the people were unable to stop, delay, or hinder them any longer.

Dearly beloved, if you feel afraid or you feel stuck, look into the Word of God. The Word of God can ignite your heart with courage, passion, confidence, and faith. The Word of God has all that you need to do is ask God to give you a direct word for that situation you’re facing. 

If you’re looking through the word and you can’t seem to find anything, ask the Holy Spirit to breathe upon your heart and the Lord will send the Word to you. It could be in the form of a prophet, a Facebook post, an Instagram video, etc. God is interested in reaching out to His people to carry out His purposes and what he has prepared. Don’t let anything, stop you from doing God’s work, go back to the Word of God, and let the Word encourage and strengthen you even amid disappointment and despair. 

Now would be a good time to pray 

“God, I need a word from you concerning this season of my life. I need a word concerning my life. Speak to me In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. 

Shalom