The Daily Word: Friday, August 6th, 2021
Ezra 3:1-4:23
1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4
Psalm 28:1-9
Proverbs 20:24-25
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the Lord God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” – Ezra 4:1-2
As the people of Judah and Benjamin worked to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem, their enemies tried to sabotage their plans. But notice that the enemies didn’t attack them head on! At first they offered to help. They tried to infiltrate the ranks of God’s people so they could subtly and discretely sabotage the building process from the inside out.
The enemy is deceptive. This is how he operates! He will try to convince you he is for you, when he is really against you. He will try to convince you to get things quickly instead of prayerfully. He will serve as a nagging voice inside of your head, always accusing you of not doing enough, and always pushing you to a point of exasperation and procrastination because you are afraid what you build for God will never measure up.
But do not be fooled. The enemy is not on your team! The leaders of Judah were wise to the enemy’s plans. They refused to accept help from these deceivers who came under the guise of offering assistance. God alone is enough to help you. And what He builds, no man can tear down.
Prayer:
Father, help me to know who is on my team! There are people You have sent to help me; and there are others whom the enemy has sent to distract me from my purpose. Help me to discern who is who! And I declare that everything You have spoken over me will come to pass, in Jesus’ name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.