Building a People of Worship: God Reigns!

In the summer of 2010, we were about to host our first overnight camp. The camp aimed to provide a gospel-centered atmosphere for the children. Down the road, a festival was taking place. We had many difficulties and delays as we got ready. I told you about the farmer last week. Many rose up to discourage us. One of them was a shaman (witchdoctor) who was leading a festival called the Sun festival.

The festival was a way for people to commune with the spirit world. This leader heard about our camp and that we believed in Jesus. He didn’t like that. He came to the camp to loudly tell us that he would have the spirits bring rain on our camp so that it would be ruined. With that, the confrontation was set. Opposition sought to discourage us. But the battle was not ours. It was God’s.

That day came, and we continued to make preparations for the camp. The children arrived and we had a great day of camp in the beautiful sunny weather. There was a rainstorm that day, and it was over the place where the shaman had the Sun Festival. His festival got rained out. We told him that our God is over all things, even the weather.

In conflict, it often feels like everything is against us. The enemy looks to be winning. But throughout history, God has had the final word. For our story of rebuilding the Temple, all seemed lost. Enemies rose and stalled the work. How would they overcome and finish the task God called them to? They needed to know that God was with them and that He would work through them. God would work through yet another pagan king. When all seems lost, let us rest in God’s presence and power to complete the work He has called us to do. As people of worship, let us rely on God’s power and presence to prosper us in His mission. We’ll look at three ways God builds His people of worship: by reviving us through His Word, helping us rest in His sovereignty, and leading us to rejoice in His victory.

Revive The Work with God's Word

5:1-2

The work had stopped. For 20 years, the Temple sat unfinished. Discouragement had set in. The people needed revival. And how did God respond? He sent prophets. The prophets were with the people, speaking for God.

If you examine the message of Haggai, he urged the people to return to work and to trust that God was with them as they did. God’s answer to the discouragement His people felt was to call a prophet to deliver a charge and a promise. They had allowed the enemy to stop their work. But this is a problem of worship, not opposition. Haggai also reminded the people that His presence was with them and His power was going through them.

Zechariah’s main message centered around the King who would return. Therefore, rebuilding the Temple was a step toward preparing for this King, whom we know as Jesus. Again, the means of this were getting their hearts right and acting in obedience toward God as they longed for the day their King of Kings would come.

God’s Words carry great power. When God speaks to His people, the words inspire and create action. So hear the words of the Lord for us today. Worship God rightly. Obey Him by doing what He has called you to do. May the Lord stir our spirits in our discouragement and raise us to complete His mission for us to fill the world with worshippers. When we are discouraged, dig into God’s Word.

When we are revived by God’s Word to do His work, we will prosper. Not in the way ‘prosperity churches’ claim it. We will prosper in His work because He will supply His power. Therefore, even as we face opposition, do the work. God will be with you, and He is over you as you do what He has called you to do.

Ezra reminds his readers that God was with them. It was not the people beyond the River, not even Darius. It was God and God alone. We must remember in our trials that no one on this earth is above us, neither our enemies nor our leaders; only God is above us, speaking through us. And with God, we cannot fail! With this hope in mind, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and the people, restarted work on the Temple.  God, through His prophets, was with the people, encouraging them.

God is with us through His Word and through the church that speaks His Word. Beloved, may we be a church that soaks in the Word of God. When our members are facing opposition, may we speak the Words of God to encourage each other to continue the work. Let us extend the presence and promise of God to each other. Let us daily respond to the Word of the Lord with obedience and encouragement. And let us trust in God’s sovereignty.

Rest in God’s Sovereignty

5:3-17

Notice, the opposition seeks to stop the Temple from being built. However, the people of God were looking to God and listening. They did not stop even with threats from the governor. Why? The eye of God was on them. They had the Word of God and His prophets with them. They knew God was over them. Therefore, when the governor asked for names, they continued to build. I love the statement, “The men would stop until a report was sent to Darius.” When the governor threatened to involve the King, they said, ‘Good, go ahead.’

Beloved, God’s eyes are on us, too. Don’t stop doing what God has called you to do. God will not fail; only trust Him and continue the work. God will deliver on His promises and fulfill His will. While this isn’t easy, we have the word of God to inspire us. As you read God’s Word, let it call our hearts to trust in God’s strength over all worldly powers. Continue the work!

(6-17) The governor sent a letter to King Darius. But the enemy didn’t know that God was watching over His people. He recounts the Jews’ response to him. Interestingly, they respond by recounting their history and how God had exiled them to Babylon.

This was more than a history lesson. The exiles were demonstrating that they understood why the exile had happened. They were also displaying the sovereignty of God over Babylon, through Cyrus, and over Darius. Read through this letter; it is worthy of your time and reflection.

Nothing can stop God. The opposition has nothing, but we who are in Christ have everything! Let the nations rage. They are nothing but words. No substance. “What can man do to me?” Asaph wrote in the Psalms. The exiles believed that if God moved Cyrus’ heart, He would move Darius’ heart as well. Beloved, whatever the opposition is in your lives, God, who overcame all opposition in the past, will overcome your opposition. Trust in His sovereignty over your opposition.

Ezra will relate this to building the wall in his time. We must also see that God will succeed in our time as well. Let us reflect the heart of the exiles, who, under the Word of God and trusting in His sovereignty, continued the work in the face of opposition. Oh, may we have such courage as a church to strive together in doing the work of God in the face of opposition together under His Word and trusting in His power.

Hear a prayer I prayed 5 years ago as we were seeking to answer God’s call to return to Taiwan:

“Oh God, move our hearts. Let me do what you have called me to do. Your eyes are on me, I cannot fail, for You are with me. I am yours. Let me, with renewed strength, pursue my calling to minister in Taiwan. You will not fail. I must trust in You. Amen.”

Rejoice in God’s Faithfulness and Victory

6:1-22

Israel received a letter from the king. In chapter 5, the governor sent a letter to Darius. The Jews’ faith in God could have led to death, war, or famine. But their true King sits over Darius. When they received a letter from Darius, it didn’t tell them to stop, but instead, told them to build. Darius found Cyrus’ decree. For the second time, God used a pagan king to carry out His will.

The enemies of Israel were ordered to stay away from the building of the Temple. On an ironic note, they, who wanted to help build the Temple in chapter 4, now have to pay for it. Because it was a royal decree, they could not influence the worship.

God moved such that the opposition had to pay for what they wanted to stop, by supplying His people with their needs. What a stunning reversal in the story. Even God’s enemies bend to His will. We who are obedient get to rejoice in His victory and faithfulness.

In Ezra’s day, remember, they had been stopped by a king’s letter from rebuilding the city. He is telling his reader to be faithful and wait; God can also move Artaxerxes' heart. They only needed to respond to God’s Word in obedience and trust in God’s Kingship.

I read this chapter 5 years ago, sitting in my kitchen in North Carolina. I was full of doubt about how God would get me to Taiwan. Let me read what I wrote:

“At the moment, we are in the middle of a global pandemic. Our calling to return to Taiwan seems complicated, as Taiwan is locked down. It is hard to see above all the news and trouble. But this chapter reminds me that even with a world on lockdown, plans stuck in limbo, God is still the king and in control. I need not worry. My God holds the future. ‘I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I know who brings tomorrow.”

Little did I know that I would read this chapter and journal again in a church in Taiwan. God can do anything He wills. Today, I rejoice in God’s faithfulness. Beloved, I hope you can look back at the pressures you face today and see God’s hand and rejoice in His faithfulness. Where have you seen God turn conflict into faithfulness in your life?"

They finished the work they were called back to do. They built the Temple. What a joyous moment. It took over 20 years to complete. Many probably thought it would never happen. But now they rejoice in God’s faithfulness and His triumph over His enemies. Ezra relates this victory to present and future victories as well. He is telling us, “You too, will rejoice in God’s goodness and faithfulness. Hang on!”

The chapter closes with the exiles worshipping God joyfully at the Temple. They celebrated the Passover in a victory cry that shouts, “This exodus is complete, we are home!” They worship God with joy because God has made them joyful. Were their troubles over? No. Joy and sorrow often mix. God brings us joy as we rejoice in Him. So take this picture of worship and place yourself in it. We as a family can be a People of Worship with joy, because God makes us joyful.

Today, we see that as we recount the beauty of the gospel. In our ‘exile’, we heard the voice of Jesus calling out to us. We were separated from the rest of the world through the blood of Christ and brought into a global, eternal family. We face opposition, and so did Jesus. And through Jesus, we will overcome all opposition because of His power. We can worship and celebrate God through the joy that Jesus brings. We are joyful, because He has made us joyful. Rejoice in the freedom of Christ this morning! He is faithful! We see His victory over sin and death, and we eagerly await His final victory when He returns!

Conclusion:

We all face opposition. I did in South Dakota, and when I was trying to come back to Taiwan. I am experiencing opposition now. Many of you are as well. We will face opposition individually and as a church. So, as we do and as we are being built as a People of Worship, let us respond with obedience to God’s Word. Let His Word be fuel for our souls. When our enemies seek to overwhelm us, let us trust in God’s faithfulness and sovereignty over all creation. As we do, we will be able to rejoice together with joy at God’s faithfulness and victory. It is not a question of if, but when God wins. Beloved, respond, rest, and rejoice with God today, together. Let us go and be a People of Worship.

“Father, move our hearts to respond to Your word. Your eyes are on us, watching over us. You are for us! We will not fail in what You have called us to do. Let us, with renewed strength, pursue You. Let us call many to you. Let us be a People of Worship who overcome opposition by Your mighty hand. Let us be a people who rejoice in You, because You have made us joyful. Amen.”