Scripture Focus

“At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak responded by starting again to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them and helped them.”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“‘Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure?’”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the Temple that was built here many years ago by a great king of Israel.’”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. The Temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by the God of Israel and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, the kings of Persia. The Temple was completed on March 12, during the sixth year of King Darius’s reign.”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“There was great joy throughout the land because the Lord had caused the king of Assyria to be favorable to them, so that he helped them to rebuild the Temple of God, the God of Israel.”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

⸻

🌱 Reflection

Finally—the Temple is finished! 🎉
The people gather to celebrate, to worship, to rejoice. But what a long road it had been to get there. They’d come full circle—back to the place where they first started.
•God called them to return from exile.
•They began to rebuild the Temple.
•Opposition arose, and the work stopped.
•Sixteen long years went by until God raised up Haggai and Zechariah to stir them to begin again.

This time, they had learned something: the enemy’s main goal was to stop the work of God.
Instead of giving up again, they stood firm. When asked, “Who gave you permission?” they answered boldly: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth… we are rebuilding what He decreed.”

And in God’s providence, the very rulers who once hindered them ended up funding the work. Even their enemies had to provide what was needed. 🙌

God really does turn things around for His glory and for our good.

⸻

I’ve seen this same pattern in our lives.
Every time someone says, “I want to rebuild my life… I want to go deeper with the Lord… I want to serve in ministry…” the enemy shows up to discourage, accuse, and highlight our weaknesses:
•Who do you think you are?
•You’re not capable.
•You don’t have the right.

But Jesus has already given us the authority to build.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go…” (Matthew 28:18–19)

We keep pressing on—through doubts, opposition, and our own insufficiency—because God Himself has called us. And when we do, we see His hand at work, just as the returned exiles did.

The result is joy and celebration.
He’s the One who starts the work in us, helps us to keep going, and gives us seasons of rejoicing when we see His faithfulness.

⸻

💡 Lesson for Me

Whenever I set my heart to build—whether it’s rebuilding faith, restoring relationships, growing in Christ, or serving in ministry—I should expect resistance.
But I also need to remember: God is with me, His authority sends me, and His Spirit empowers me.
What He starts, He will finish.

⸻

🔎 Application Questions
1.What “rebuilding” is God calling me to right now—whether in my heart, my home, or in service to Him?
2.Where have I let opposition or discouragement stop me in the past?
3.How can I answer the enemy’s lies with the truth of God’s Word?
4.What step of faith can I take today to keep building?

⸻

🙏 Prayer

Lord, thank You for calling me to be part of Your work.
Give me the courage to push through discouragement, to keep building even when it’s hard.
Help me to trust that You can turn opposition into help, and to rejoice when Your purposes are fulfilled.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

⸻

🪞 Takeaway

When God calls you to build, don’t quit because of opposition.
Stand firm in His authority, keep going, and watch Him turn even your enemies’ efforts into provision for His glory.

⸻

📝 Journaling Prompt:
Sit quietly with Jesus. Ask Him:

“Lord, what part of my life do You want me to keep rebuilding with You? What lie of the enemy do I need to stop believing today?”
Write down what He puts on your heart.