READ Ezra 4
The king orders a halt to the temple restoration.

INSIGHT
There is a common misconception in the Christian world that if you are doing the Lord´s
will, you will not suffer hardships for it. The example of the Jewish people rebuilding the
temple certainly does not support that supposition. The Lord clearly intends for them to
rebuild the temple, yet they suffer opposition the entire time. It is not necessarily a sign
of God´s displeasure when work begun for Him fails. There may be other reasons for
the failure, which are hidden in His sovereignty. That is why it is so important to be in
fellowship with Him. If something we are doing fails, we have confidence that it is not
because of our sin, but His sovereignty.

PRAYER
Because He faithfully loves you, faithfully praise Him and thank Him for your many blessings:
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who alone does wonders.  
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
The whole earth is filled with his glory.  
Amen and amen (Psalm 72:18-19).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession:
As a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.  
For he knows what we are made of,
Remembering that we are dust (Psalm 103:13-14).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Before I was afflicted I went astray,  
But now I keep your word.
It was good for me to be afflicted  
So that I could learn your statutes
(Psalm 119:67, 71).

God yearns to hear His children´s desires. As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Spiritual growth
• Fulfillment of the Great Commission
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Only goodness and faithful love
Will pursue me all the days of my life,  
And I will dwell in the house of the  Lord
As long as I live (Psalm 23:6).