SUMMARY: Temple rebuild
OVERVIEW: King Cyrus of Persia not only allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple, but he provides gold, silver, and other building materials.
BIG IDEA: God is always at work in you and around the world.
KEY VERSE: Ezra 1:5 (God is stirring hearts)
Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
Put your trust in me. I don’t mean casually, as if you are signing up to bring food to a potluck or registering for a raffle. I want your trust to indicate that you are all in. I want you to trust me when things get out of control. I want you to trust me in the traffic jam, when you get the medical report, or when your boss or principal calls you into her office. I want your first thought upon receiving what sounds like bad news to be, “God’s got this.”
I allow leaders to rise to positions, and I also allow their removal. But when they have authority, I can change their hearts and minds. Advocate for yourself or others in the ways your culture allows. You may even have to do so in illegal ways—as long as I approve it. But recognize that ultimately I am the one who moves things forward or keeps them stalled. Trust me, for I am with you always.
NEXT STEP
If a non-believer like Cyrus can hear from God and obey him, you can, too. What is God saying to you? What is God calling you to do? Create a note on your phone or leave a notebook in a prominent place and write down thoughts or impressions you think may be from God. Pray through them during the week and seek God’s wisdom.
MUSIC VIDEO
BONUS Video Clip