Following God’s Lead

Daily Old Testament Reading: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 137; Haggai 1

Daily Focus Passage: Ezra 5

The exiled children of Israel returned to Jerusalem and began reconstructing the temple. As they started to rebuild, the children faced discouragement and opposition from the people of the world. The people threatened the workers by sending a letter to the ruler Darius. Through this challenging time, we find that the eye of the Lord was on the workers. Today, as we seek to serve the Lord, we must remember that opposition will occur but that the eye of the Lord is on us.

FOLLOWING THE LORD

The children of Israel received the command to reconstruct the temple. If we understand this passage in light of Haggai 1, we find that the people were called to work for the Lord in reconstruction because they had centered on building themselves houses. Now, the time had come to reconstruct the house of the Lord.

The call to follow the Lord centers on God's will. The will of the Lord sets the course for life. It often opposes the ways of humanity. The will of God guides us to the direction of the Lord that is acceptable, good, and perfect, according to Romans 12. Thus, we must hear the call of the Lord to set our course to fulfill the will of God.

FACING OPPOSITION

As the builders followed the leading of the Lord, they faced opposition. People of the world sent a letter to Darius, the worldly leader, to stop the work of the people. The opposition attempted to discourage the people with threats and hinder the work of the Lord by creating discouragement.

When opposition occurs, we face the crossroads of obedience to the Lord or obedience to the world. Opposition forces us to either remain faithful or find ourselves tossed to and fro by the world. The opposition will threaten us in the world's power, but we must remember that we serve in the power of the Lord.

FAITH IN THE EYE OF THE LORD

The builders relied upon the eye of the Lord as they faced opposition and built the temple. Understanding the eye of the Lord meant that the people trusted in the Lord's power, path, and protection. The people trusted in the plan of God. They knew God's plan was far greater than any plan they could form. The people rested in the power of the Lord. They knew that the Lord would give them the strength to stand firm against the opposition and to carry out the work they were called to. The people rested in the protection of the Lord. The people knew the Lord was with them and would protect them as they faced the opposition.

We must recognize the importance of following the Lord. We must seek to discover his will and pursue living that will. We must take the step of faith and trust the Lord to equip us for the task and to provide the needed strength to endure opposition. As you consider your life, are you seeking to follow the Lord?