6. God supplies (1)

The first Temple was destroyed by king Nebuchadnezzar. He took the Israelites with him to Babylon and forced them to work for him. The Israelites were in exile for 70 years, the number of years that the land didn't have its 'Sabbath' rests due to Israel's disobedience. But God was gracious and good and allowed them to return to their land after the 70 years. And not only did He allow them to return, He helped them to rebuild the Temple.

God ordained it that King Cyrus decreed that the Temple must be rebuilt and that the gold utensils that Nebuchadnezzar took had to be returned (Ezra 6:3-5). God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites to return to Jerusalem and all their neighbors gave silver and gold and supplies for the journey (Ezra 1:5, 6). All and all with donations received, 5 400 gold and silver items were turned over to the exiles to take to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:11). Also some of the leaders gave generously to rebuild the Temple - 61 000 gold coins, 6 250 pounds of silver and 100 robes for the priests (Ezra 2:69). And if that was not enough, Artaxerxes also decreed that silver and gold be dedicated towards the temple (Ezra 7:11-24).

God truly supplied all that they needed to rebuild the Temple. God ordained it all. They didn't need to fret and worry about where the supply will come from, they didn't need to even ask for supplies, God stirred the hearts of people and they gave willingly. Isn't it wonderful?

The Israelites in exile were down and out because they turned their backs on God, but the moment they repented and turned back to Him, He helped them. Doesn't that just show us the Father heart of God? Though they sinned woefully against Him, He immediately came to their aid to help them.

The same is true for us. No matter what we have done, our Father in Heaven waits for us to turn to Him. Do you realize that everything He does, He does so that we can turn back to Him? His main aim is to have us in His presence always. He loves us with an infinite love and wants us by His side. And no matter the sins we committed, if we turn to Him and start to walk in His ways, He will help us and lead us just like He did with the Israelites. He will help us to rebuild the 'Temple' in our lives. He will provide all the supplies that we need. We will never be in lack when we walk by His side and on the road that He has planned for us. All we need to do is to stay close to Him. But as we saw last week, Satan wants to keep us busy, preoccupied, so that we do not have the quality time that we need with our Father. He wants us focused on earthly 'gods' rather than on the one true God.

The time has come to leave 'gods' and stress behind and to walk in His ways, completely trusting Him. I know that we are all busy, but even when we are, we can still walk with our heads in the clouds, focused on Him, thinking His thoughts about certain situations. And yes, it is possible. Paul says we must pray always. And I think what he meant is that we must always walk with a 'God-mentality', with a 'God-centeredness' despite our busy schedules. Praying always means that we must allow His Spirit to work through us and in our lives in extraordinary ways. We must allow Him to flow through and to accomplish His purposes in our lives. He desperately wants to. He wants to help in every area of your life. Allow Him to.

Father, thank you that You are always there to help us. That You are always willing to guide us and to lead us unto the best pathways for our lives. We want You to flow mightily through us and accomplish Your will on this earth through us. Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

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