“The elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
“And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel…
“On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover. The priests and the Levites had purified themselves together… And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God.” Ezra 6:14-17,19-20,22
The rebuilding of God’s temple was a monumental task. Exiles had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon laden with goods, and persevered through great emotion and in spite of political adversaries. As they worked toward completion they gave the Lord God thanks, for He had provided and protected and granted them unexpected favor. When the temple was finished and dedicated, praise and sacrifice and celebration abounded with joy for all God had done. (Ezra 1:2-11; 3:3-6,10-13; 4:1-6,23-24; 6:6-12)
It takes a dependent, expectant, grateful heart to see God’s hand in our successes. In the grump and grind of competition, tension, and opposition, we can be wired to keep gritty, keep pushing, keep on, relying on personal drive, inner strength, and a honed knack for persuasion. Because of our narrow horizontal focus, we fail to see God’s providential hand and graces afforded, His moving of the heathen’s mind and ordering of circumstances to bring about only-God results. We don’t look to Him for help and miss out, by subconscious choice, on beholding His majestic involvement in our affairs.
What could be different in my sense of gratitude if I paused in my push to take on a heavenly perspective? How might my pride in accomplishments be dissolved in gratitude, my heart turned to humble awe at God’s intervention, provision, and care? If I learn the mindset that everything comes from Him, was made for Him, and all work should be done unto Him, how would the tenor of my attitude toward success and completion change? How would my praise to God increase? (1 Corinthians 4:7; Colossians 1:16; 3:23-24)
Determining that every work is for God and His glory enhances anticipation and fuels other-worldly motivation. We can expect supernatural insight and stamina, and practical supply. We can welcome opposition, knowing the Lord will be magnified as He shows His strong arm and leads us through. And our sense of thankfulness and richness of worship will be heightened as we experience God’s joy and blessing every step.
Lord, train me to approach and complete my work with You at the fore, so You receive all credit and praise.
As the rain and snow 