Ezra 4-6, Psalm 137

God Speaks

 It Is Up to the LORD to Deal with Those Who Spread Lies and Seek to Discourage God’s People from Obeying Him

Verse of the Day: So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes kings of Persia. (Ezra 6:14 NIV 2011)

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We Respond

Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Ezra 4-6, Psalm 137: 

1. What does this chapter tell me about God?

2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?

Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.

Ezra 4-6 is the continuing report of misinformation and lies against the people of God returning to Judea and Jerusalem (otherwise known as the Jews). The Enemy of God, Satan, has fought against Him and His people from the beginning. What is recorded here is just one chapter in the millennia-long continuing narrative. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues to October 7, 2023, and beyond.

1. God created and loves all people but especially the descendants of Abraham (by faith as well as lineage). 

2. People will only be kept safe by turning in trust and obedience to the great God who created the universe and everything in it. 

Psalm 137

1. Although He may not approve, God knows and understands the emotions of abused people. 

2. People can bring all of their thoughts and feelings to God, even the negative ones. He knows them anyway.

Prayer:

3. How might I pray regarding Ezra 4-6, Psalm 137?

O LORD God, since creation, Satan and his forces have been jealous of You and Your people. They covet what You have given us, but You, LORD God, keep us from being deceived or thwarted if we stay close to You. We get into trouble when we think we can do things on our own or wander from You and Your principles. LORD God, You created and love all people but especially the descendants of Abraham (by faith as well as lineage). People can only be kept safe by turning in trust and obedience to You, the great God who created the universe and everything in it. You sent Your Son to die for all those who will respond to You in faith. O LORD, help us, Your people, to stand up and present evidence for our actions meant to serve You, such as rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem in Ezra chapter 5. May we appeal to the proper governing authorities as the elders of the Jews did. May we find favor and be vindicated when we are doing what is right and good in Your sight. May the truth be revealed and acted upon. May this appeal be verified, enforced, and celebrated as in Ezra chapter 6. O Great God and Creator of the universe and everything in it, thank You for being with me in the most trying of circumstances. Thank You for knowing and understanding my feelings even when You may not approve. I am most grateful for Your presence and comfort. I know that You will deal appropriately with my oppressors either in this life or in eternity. I leave judgment and vengeance to You. Because of what Jesus accomplished through His death on the cross, I know that I will experience being in Your presence, either in the earthly Jerusalem or the heavenly one or both. In our day, as in this Old Testament account, may people rejoice when evil is defeated and You are glorified, LORD. AMEN

Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)

4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Ezra 4-6, Psalm 137? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:

  • I will investigate the truthfulness of what I hear on social media, mainstream media, or from the “experts.” Does it line up with the Word of God? Or does it merely promote a particular agenda?
  • I will ask God to reveal what He thinks of various issues of my day.
  • I will purify myself, seek the LORD, and celebrate the feasts or festivals laid out by God to bring us joy.  
  • I will honestly express my frustrations and other negative emotions to the LORD and trust Him to deal with them as He sees fit.
  • I will not seek vengeance against those who have hurt me in some way but trust the LORD to deal appropriately with them now or in eternity.

Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.