DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 11 April 2023
TOPIC: Courage to Build
Text: Ezra 5:1-5 (KJV)
Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
KEY VERSE
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
(Ezra 5:2)
DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 11 April 2023 MESSAGE
Ezra recorded this feat of courageous men who rose up to make up the walls of the house of God in Jerusalem at the period of captivity and national distress and disarray. This did not escape the watch of the authorities and representatives of their oppressors. In spite of the interruptions of the two powerful political figures, the builders continued with the spiritual support of Prophets Haggai and Zachariah.
It takes courage to build in a time of distress, moral decadence, ineptitude and spiritual lethargy. The courage to build the fallen walls of Christianity does not lie with the pulpit alone, but also rests on the pew! As the clergy (like the prophets during Ezra’s time) are declaring the will of God and praying for revival, the laity and the elders should take the mantle of the Holy Ghost and lend a strong helping hand to restore the decaying and falling walls of the Christian faith.
In many assemblies today, sound doctrines have been trampled under the feet. Christian piety has been jettisoned while there are cracks on the walls of holiness and righteousness. The Church seems to be in the captivity of the enemy. The keepers of spiritual gateway of many assemblies are complacent. Isaiah lamented, “…there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee…” (Isaiah 64:7).
God is looking for those who will have the courage to establish righteousness and holiness in this generation and deliver the Church of God from reproach. May the Lord depend on you.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: If we do not stand for something worthwhile, we will fall for something worthless.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 7-8
