Ruins to RestorationSample

PRAYER:

PRAY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD HELP YOU TO TRUST GOD TO WORK ALL

THINGS TOGETHER FOR YOUR GOOD.

DEVOTIONAL:

At this point in the story, the Jewish people were likely feeling quite discouraged. They had

been stopped from rebuilding the temple that they had come back from exile in Babylon to

rebuild, and are likely wondering whether God was still really working on their behalf. How

could God be working things together for their good if they can’t even rebuild His temple?

However, this new king of Persia, King Darius, writes a new decree, a new law, into effect that

allows for these Jewish people to begin rebuilding the Temple once again.

This is so encouraging for every believer in Jesus because we can see a foreshadowing of the

work of Jesus on the cross. Several times, Jesus refers to His body as a temple that would be

destroyed but rebuilt in three days (referring to being crucified on a cross but resurrecting from

the dead three days later). It is because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that

we can believe with confidence that God will ultimately work all things together for our good. At

times, it may not look promising, but we know as believers that just like Jesus was raised from

the dead by the glory of the Father, we too can walk in the newness of life!

Question:

Do you really believe that God will work all things together for your good? If not,

what is hindering you from having that level of faith in God?