Daily Meditations | April 13–19
Lesson 8 | January 20
Monday | Ezra 1:1-11
King Cyrus II of Persia may have thought sending conquered people, including the people of Judah, back to their homelands to rebuild was simply sound policy. But the Book of Ezra identifies God as the ultimate catalyst of Cyrus’s actions. Stir up the spirits of leaders today, Sovereign God, that the nations may know your glory and your peace.
Tuesday | Ezra 3:8-13
When the work of rebuilding the temple began, Ezra reports no one could distinguish tears of sorrow over its former glory from tears of joy over the new beginning. It’s all right to rebuild our own “ruins” with a mixture of sorrow and joy. What matters is that we make the beginning (verse 8), confident that God’s graciousness endures (verse 11). Grant me a sustaining faith in your everlasting love, O God.
Wednesday | Haggai 1:1-8
The former exiles who returned to Judah tried to rebuild their community without keeping God at the center, as seen in their neglect of the devastated temple. When we, like they, work hard and consume much but are never truly satisfied, we must ask ourselves whether we are orienting ourselves to God’s glory or to our own. Show me, O God, how I may best honor you in my community.
Thursday | Haggai 2:1-9
For all of its architectural magnificence and splendid ornamentation, what had truly always made the temple beautiful was the beautiful presence of God. With God in their midst (verse 4), the people can be assured of the reconstructed temple’s glory: God will be there, and the material beauty will follow later. God of glory, may your Spirit always guide me to behold true beauty in your presence and your love.
Friday | Zechariah 1:12-17
Why did God insist the people rebuild the temple? Because the temple was a physical, highly visible sign of God’s compassionate presence, signaling the people’s special relationship to God, not only to them, but to the world. Holy Spirit, so fill me that all I do and say points to your presence and power.
Saturday | Ezra 4:24–5:5
Ezra 5:2 states God’s prophets helped rebuild the temple. Perhaps the author means the prophets actually helped in the labor itself! Both words and works are essential to faithful living. Strengthen me to not only speak but also act in your service, O God, helping my community of faith obey your will in whatever ways I can.
Sunday | Ezra 6:13-22
Passover was especially joyous in the year the work on the temple was finished. Even the king of Assyria, a nation that had destroyed Israel’s Northern Kingdom centuries earlier, had helped the rebuilding (verse 22)! Surprising God, keep us daring to believe you can forge new bonds of peace between the nations today.
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Key Verse: This house will be more glorious than its predecessor, says the Lord of heavenly forces. I will provide prosperity in this place, says the Lord of heavenly forces. (Haggai 2:9)
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