The Lord’s timing is perfect, and He never leaves His children without an answer
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The reading for Saturday 13th July was from the book of Ezra, Chapter 3, Verses 1 -6:
When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. 3 They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. 4 And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required, 5 and after that the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the appointed feasts of the Lord, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the Lord. 6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid.
I must admit to not being as familiar with the book of Ezra as perhaps, I should be, so I’m grateful for the insight shared by Sheridan Voysey, the author of Saturday’s reflection.
To place the above verses in context, let’s start with a look at the whole book. It is known as one of the post-exilic books of the Old Testament, which deals with what happened after the people of Israel returned to the land, having been captives in Babylon for 70 years.
They found Jerusalem and the land showing the effects of not only the Babylonian invasion but the impact of being given seven decades of “Sabbath Rest” as a result of the nation’s exile.
During their time in Babylon, they stopped worshipping and their relationship with God had effectively, changed from a corporate to a private one, as described in the book of Daniel.
After the 70 years of exile, decreed by God, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus, the king of Persia, to release the captives to return to Israel to worship God, as he announced in the following proclamation in Ezra 1:2 – 4;
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As a result, we are told that 42,360 made the journey. In addition, there were 7,337 male and female servants, 200 male and female singers, all accompanied by 736 horses, 245 mules,435 camels and 6,720 camels. Quite a cavalcade!
Cyrus’s assistance did not end there, we are told that he was instrumental in providing the resources required to do the work, both directly and by encouraging the people to donate gifts and money for the work. (Ezra 1:4 – 11; 6:8 – 10). The work itself was, we are told, carried out by both contractors and volunteers (Ezra 1:5; 3:7)
On the face of it, the book of Ezra is a story of God’ s miraculous provision, through a pagan monarch, to restore His people to the land He gave them and worship to the “place that He chose for His name.”
However, there is one aspect of the story which stands out to me, and I believe represents a word for MCF and me in particular.
That is, we are told that the rebuilding work did not start until the second year of the Jews’ return; (Ezra 3:8), that there was opposition, (Ezra) and there was a time of preparation, starting with worship at the rebuilt altar of the Lord, “But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid”.
Just before Covid, God provided MCF with exclusive use of a building in Castle Bromwich, Victory Hall. There have been a number of changes to the circumstances surrounding that provision, but the Trustees and Overseers prayerfully agreed to follow the Lord’s leading by covering part of the operating cost of Victory Hall on a monthly basis, despite there being a degree of uncertainty as to the way forward.
Earlier this year the Lord gave Pastor Kevin a word that He wished to plant a church in Castle Bromwich. With the prayerful support of the Overseers, he set about the initial planning process. However, after a few months and with little to show for his efforts the Lord spoke with Pastor Kevin again, clearly saying “It is not for you to plant this church. I will plant it. You need to be obedient and listen to my voice.”
As a result, the detailed work already completed was set aside and following another Word from the Lord, in obedience, it was decided, commencing in September to move our Sunday worship from Coleshill to Victory Hall for a period of three months and to seek the Lord’s voice and His will as He responds to our obedience.
Thus, we find ourselves in an “Ezra” situation:
We have been given the resources; The location, the people and the finance.
We may face some opposition, but in acting in obedience, I believe that we will give the Lord the opportunity to do great things.
I have to confess, at this point, that I was unsure about the Castle Bromwich situation but supported our Pastor in faith that the Lord had a plan. Despite many prayers I had heard nothing from the Lord about this and was acting in faith. Then the Lord gave me the book of Ezra and I fall to my knees in gratitude for His grace and mercy. The Lord is in control, and I stand in awe of His love and power.
Perhaps you are struggling with something as you read this and have not heard from the Lord in response to your prayers.
Have faith beloved, the Lord’s timing is perfect, and He never leaves His children without an answer. Persevere and keep praying.
Have a blessed week.
Author: Alan Cameron
May God bless and enrich your life
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