EZR 3:3 NIV Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord , both the morning and evening sacrifices.
How many times do we withhold because we're afraid of what people may think?
These Isrealites have just gone through generations upon generations of leaders who couldn't make up their mind what god they wanted to follow. Very few of them since King Soloman (maybe 3) chose to follow God, the rest kept turning away from Him.
Because they did not love the Lord, and they kept sacrificing to idols, they were sent into Babylon to exile. At this point in time God has moved the heart of the King of Babylon to let the Isrealites return to Jerusalem in order to rebuild the altar of the Lord. ~That is what I call devine intervention!~
Have you ever seen the show Intervention on TV? Pretty much what happens is there is a person who has made a mess of their life and the people who love them gather around to give them a choice; continue the way that you're going and end up worse or let us help you amd have a better life.
This is what God has done with the Isrealites time and time again, in this story they chose to accept it. But they were still fearful. People were watching them! What if they messed up again? Where they even worthy of this chance at freedom?
For us it is often the same thing, and we let that fear hold us back. When the reality is God called you out of that exile to show you true freedom. All you have to do is accept it and trust in Him!
The story isn't over yet, verse 4
"THEN in accordance with what is written, THEY CELEBRATED..."
They pushed on through their fear, built the altar and at that point they were able to celebrate with God! Because of God's faithfulness and their willingness, they were able to celebrate with the Savior!
What will you choose today?!
~Awaken Us~
Brenna Stanford
Brenna Stanford
