Plans You Can Count On

In the fifth chapter of the book of Ezra, we read that Zerubbabel began to rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem.

The prophets of God were also there supporting this work.

The regional governor and his colleagues did not approve.

They came to them and asked. “Who gave you authority to rebuild this temple and to complete this structure?”

They also wanted a list of names of all who were involved.

This was clearly an intimidation tactic.

Yet God was with them.

Ezra 5:4 (NET) - But God was watching over the elders of Judah, and they were not stopped until a report could be dispatched to Darius and a letter could be sent back concerning this.

The regional governor and his colleagues composed a lengthy letter and sent it to Darius the king.

Upon reading the letter Darius issued orders that all the archives in Babylon were to be searched.

A scroll was found in the province of Media concerning this.

It contained the order given by Cyrus the king stating that the temple was to be rebuilt.

That order also specified the dimensions and materials that were to be used.

Darius sent a reply to the regional governor and his colleagues that must have come as quite a shock.

Ezra 6:6-7 (NET) - Now Tattenai governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar Bozenai, and their colleagues, the officials of Trans-Euphrates—all of you stay far away from there! Leave the work on this temple of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this temple of God in its proper place.

The regional governor and his colleagues were in for an even bigger surprise.

Darius the king also ordered that tax money from the royal treasury be given to the men so that their work would not be interrupted.

Darius had yet another surprise.

Ezra 6:9-10 (NET) - Whatever is needed—whether oxen or rams or lambs for burnt offerings for the God of heaven or wheat or salt or wine or oil, as required by the priests who are in Jerusalem—must be given to them daily without any neglect, so that they may be offering incense to the God of heaven and may be praying for the good fortune of the king and his family.

He also told them of the unpleasant consequences that would come to those who interfered with these orders.

Throughout history, people have foolishly tried to interfere with God’s plans.

Unlike human plans, God’s plans always prevail.

They are the plans you can count on.

The Psalmist understood this.

Psalm 33:10-11 (NET) - The LORD frustrates the decisions of the nations; He nullifies the plans of the peoples. The LORD’s decisions stand forever; His plans abide throughout the ages.

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, may we be reminded of His plan for our salvation.

A plan made possible through Jesus.

A plan in place from the very beginning.

John 1:1-4 (NET) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 17, 2017.

I will be back here on Friday, March 24, 2017