What steps can we take to resume God's work after a period of delay? Setting the Scene “Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” The temple project froze for about sixteen years. Opposition, fear, and complacency settled in—yet God never withdrew His assignment. What He begins, He intends to finish (Philippians 1:6). When our own obedience has stalled, Scripture shows a path back to progress. Step 1: Revisit God’s Original Call • Read the last clear instruction you received (Ezra 1:2–4). • Acknowledge He hasn’t changed His mind (Romans 11:29). • Confess any doubt or discouragement that has clouded the call. Step 2: Identify the Causes of Delay • External opposition (Ezra 4:4–5). • Internal fear or apathy (Haggai 1:2). • Confusion about timing (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Listing these honestly prevents repeating them. Step 3: Submit to Fresh Prophetic Encouragement Haggai and Zechariah began preaching when the work stalled (Ezra 5:1). Their words jolted the people awake. • Haggai 1:5–8—“Consider your ways… build the house.” • Zechariah 4:6—“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” Renewed hearing leads to renewed doing (James 1:22). Step 4: Stir Up Courage and Faith • Recall past victories (1 Samuel 17:37). • Meditate on God’s promises (Isaiah 41:10). • “Fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6). Fear shrinks when faith speaks. Step 5: Reorganize and Take Practical Action • Restart with what you have—stone, timber, willing hands (Ezra 3:7; Haggai 2:4). • Assign roles, set timelines (Nehemiah 2:18). • Secure legal or practical clearances if needed (Ezra 5:13). Obedience often looks like a hammer hitting the first nail. Step 6: Lean on Divine Empowerment • “The hand of our God was upon us” (Ezra 7:9). • Pray continuously for wisdom (James 1:5) and strength (Colossians 1:11). • Depend on the Spirit, not human momentum (Zechariah 4:6). Step 7: Guard the Restart with Perseverance • Expect renewed opposition (Ezra 5:3). • Refuse to quit—“Let us not grow weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:9). • Celebrate small milestones (Ezra 6:15–16). • Keep watch over one another (Hebrews 10:24–25). Step 8: Maintain a Worshipful Focus • Rebuild the altar of devotion alongside the project (Ezra 3:2). • Offer praise for each advance (Psalm 115:1). Worship keeps the work God-centered rather than self-centered. The Outcome When the people heeded Haggai and Zechariah, “They prospered… and they finished building” (Ezra 6:14). The same Lord stands ready today. Identify the pause, re-embrace His call, and pick up the tools again—the work is still His, and He will see it through. |
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