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Daily Devotion: Ezra 1:3-5

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Ezra 1:3-5    "Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God), which is in Jerusalem.  (4)  And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.  (5)  Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem."

King Cyrus was giving words of encouragement to all who had a desire to return to Jerusalem for the purpose of rebuilding the temple unto the Lord.  We can hear these words from Cyrus, "God be with you. Go to Jerusalem."  I submit that only the power of the Almighty could stir the king to release thousands of captive slaves to return back to their native home. Not only were they returning to their homeland, they were going to restore true worship.  

We know the people had held to worshiping the true God throughout the 70 years of captivity, but it was not the same as being in the place where God had placed His name.  We hear people say they can worship at the beach, in the mountains, or wherever they decide to be on the Lord's Day.  I do not deny that.  God is a Spirit and they that worship Him are to worship in Spirit and in Truth. I understand that can be accomplished in many different places as long as the heart is in proper approach to God. But the truth remains that God has told us to assemble together to worship Him. There is something about assembling to worship that we cannot receive when we are alone.  There is encouragement and the sharing of love and yes, even the sharing of testimonies and experiences with one another that strengthens our faith.

These people may have been somewhat hesitant after 70 years to return to Jerusalem. Think about it, we were in bondage for two years and some are still hesitant to return to the "homeland of the Church".  But the Lord stirred the king to give encouragement. Even those around them, who were not going, gave out of their possessions to support those whose heart was stirred to the work.  Even more than the encouragement of the king and others, God gave encouragement. Their spirits were raised by God to rebuild the house of the Lord.

What does this mean for us? The Word of God teaches us that our bodies are the temple of the Living God. Sometimes our temples become broken down due to hurt, discouragement, even becoming hostage to our own habits. God is calling us to rebuild our temples. His Spirit is raising our spirits to rebuild. He is the Healer!  He is our purpose and our focus of worship.  Let us rebuild our worship and praise! 

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