“Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 And at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus: 3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, 4 with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury. 5 Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God.” Ezra 6:1-5 NKJV
God of Righteousness,
I love this bit of history. Restoration on the Temple resumed and again opposition arose. They wrote to King Darius so the ruling powers would again sop the the rebuilding. But no. This time a thorough search was made and in some obscure place a scroll was found. Tattenai Governor of the region beyond the river, along with his cohorts, had not only to back off but to help and provide and even feed the Israelite builders!How humiliating. And if they did not do it, their own houses would be torn down and made a refuse heap.
So the Temple building is finally resumed. It was completed and dedicated. (Not the walls). The priests were purified and then slaughtered the passover lambs and passover was celebrated with great joy (Ezra 6:13-22).
Some opposition can be stopped by standing firm, sometimes it needs legalities. As with the documents here. But the timing -was yours Lord God. You were dealing with the hearts of Your people (and their enemies). To have faith in You God, not to be afraid to want to build. You give a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We do not always like to walt for Your timing Lord but we learn that sometimes it is the only thing we can do (Psalm 27:14). Thank You that the wicked do not always get their own way this side of heaven.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 11th September 2026
This hymns always reminds me we are part of God’s Kingdom – His people. The enemy seeks to isolate us so we should stick together in prayer and fellowship.
Sound the battle cry!
See, the foe is nigh,
Raise the Standard high
For the Lord.
Gird your armour on;
Stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon
His holy word.
Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner!
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud hosanna!
Christ is captain of the mighty throng.
Strong to meet the foe,
Marching on we go,
While our cause we know
Must prevail.
Shield and banner bright,
Gleaming in the light,
Battling for the right,
We ne’er can fail.
Chorus
O thou God of all,
Hear us when we call,
Help us one and all
By thy grace!
When the battle’s done,
And the victory won,
May we wear the crown
Before thy face.
Chorus
Lyrics: William F Sherwin