READ Ezra 1
The Lord prompts the king of Persia to rebuild the temple.

INSIGHT
The Bible says that God “removes kings and raises up kings” (Daniel 2:21) and that “the
king´s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:1). We see a classic example of
these truths in the book of Ezra. The Israelites are taken captive by the Babylonians for
70 years. During that time, the Babylonians are conquered by Persia. Then the Lord
moves in the heart of the king of Persia to orchestrate the return of the Jews to
Jerusalem. God is in control. Bad things will still happen; we live in a fallen world. But
God is in control and history is moving toward His end. The ultimate needs of His
children are met, and we have the promise of eternal life. Beyond that, we must cling to
the fact that we are pilgrims, sojourners to another world—heaven, where our true
citizenship lies.

PRAYER
As you continue your time with the Lord, offer to Him this praise:
Hallelujah!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
His faithful love endures forever.  
Who can declare the Lord’s mighty acts
Or proclaim all the praise due him?  
How happy are those who uphold justice,
Who practice righteousness at all times
(Psalm 106:1-3).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Out of the depths I call to you, Lord!  
Lord, listen to my voice;
Let your ears be attentive
To my cry for help.  
Lord, if you kept an account of iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?  
But with you there is forgiveness,
So that you may be revered
(Psalm 130:1-4).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to God:
Love is patient, love is kind.
Love does not envy,
Is not boastful, is not arrogant,    
Is not rude, is not self-seeking,  
Is not irritable, and does not keep
A record of wrongs.
Love finds no joy in unrighteousness
But rejoices in the truth
(1 Corinthians 13:4-6).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Health and strength to serve Him
• His will to be done
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to him who is able to protect you
From stumbling and to make you stand
In the presence of his glory,
Without blemish and with great joy,
To the only God our Savior,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,  
Be glory, majesty, power, and authority
Before all time, now and forever. Amen.
(Jude 1:24-25).