Ezra 5:17-6:1
"Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter. Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon."
For the past two days, we have seen the Israelites rise in faith, build the wall, come under attack, cease their work, and—by a word from the Lord through the mouth of the prophets—resume the work. Yet, the adversaries have not ceased to attack, slander, and use all means necessary to stop the building of God’s house. Our enemy is relentless. Many times, he simply outpaces us. He tries one angle, and when that doesn’t work, he tries another until we give up because of his relentless pursuit.
Dear Christian, I have been in a similar season this year as well. When it hasn’t been one problem, it has been another. It has felt as if there has been an attack on every front, and daily, we must go to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in our times of need.
Our verses today show us where the Israelites finally gained victory over this area of attack. They called for a search to be made in the king’s decrees. They were reminded that it was the king who had sent them to build the temple in the first place, and that king had far greater authority than the ones opposing them.
It had been by similar tactics that the enemy had halted their work in the first place. The enemy had called for a search to be made in the history books (Ezra 4:6-17). Their history was indeed sinful, and by reminding them of their sinful past, the enemy caused their hands to drop. So it is with you, Christian. The enemy loves to remind us and everyone else of our sinful past. He searches the history books of our lives and brings up all the reasons why we are not worthy of another opportunity—a second, third, fourth, or fifth chance. We can go on for years with little to no fruit in our lives because we simply cannot forget what we were or what we have done.
So, what do we do? There is another set of records that needs to be searched—the King’s decrees that are stored with His treasures. If you search the “riches of His grace,” you’ll find that He has decreed that you are righteous, holy, and indeed made just! Oh, what energy, strength, fervor, and victory can be found in His treasure house of promises!
The Israelites had taken all the accusations they could bear and petitioned the authority of the King’s decree. Not only were they permitted to continue their work, but in Ezra 6:2-11, they discovered that they were not only permitted to work but were also promised provision and protection to do so.
Dear Christian, many times we live below our means. Our hands grow weak, our hearts faint, and we give up long before the work He has commissioned us to do is finished—all because we do not realize that He has not only permitted us to do the work but has also made provision for strength and promised protection for every step of the way.
This morning, if you have been engaged in a long battle with the adversary, take time to search the King’s record book—the Bible—and see what He has promised you. If it has been accusations of past sins, search Romans 5:20 and read His decree: “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Perhaps your own weakness has been pointed out, and you’ve despaired at your ability to do the work. Search 2 Corinthians 12:9 and read His decree: “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Maybe you've spent sleepless nights worrying about the next attack. Search Hebrews 13:5 and read His decree: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Whatever the attack may be, I know from experience that if you search the Scriptures, not only will you find strength for your specific battle but you will find strength upon strength, joy upon joy, and peace in abundance. What will be the outcome of such a search? “And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” (Ezra 6:14b)
What lies between you and the completion of the work God has called you to is searching the Scriptures for the commission of your work and the promise of provision and protection. If the prince of the power of the air is harassing you, petition the King of kings. Call upon the One who has all authority and bring His decrees to the stand. Herein lies victory for the Christian worker, the Christian minister, the Christian student—for all Christians. Live by, work from, and trust in His Word, and the work will be finished.
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