You were created for a purpose. Purpose is the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. Myles Munroe said, When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable. We should live purpose driven lives.
God is a planner, and has good plans for us.
He created us for a purpose, and when we read from the scriptures in 1 cor 2:9&10 the things God has prepared for those who love him, these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. In the amplified: For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
Ezra 4:1-5 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” 3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” 4 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
The Jews are returning to rebuild the temple, as the Lord had impressed in the heart of King Cyrus/moved the heart of the king/stirred up the spirit of the King, to make a proclamation in support of rebuilding the House of the Lord in Jerusalem (ch1:1).
When they arrive to rebuild from the Babylonian, the men of the land, that composed largely of the descendants of peoples settled there by Esarhaddon king of Assryia – (2Kings 17:24 - And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities.) became their adversaries. They were half-casts, called Samaritans. They heard. And opposed. One of the easiest way to know that you are quickly becoming an adversary, or a witch, is when good news start hurting you, and bad news make you happy!
They were telling Zerubabel, Joshua and the leaders that they worship the same God as the Jews, but that was not true, as they had other gods (2Kings 17:29 - But every nation still made gods of its own and put them in the shrines of the high places that the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities in which they lived.)
Zerubabel and Joshua the priest and leaders of the fathers houses of Israel refused their support. They received wisdom from God that the men of the land would infiltrate their plans and sabotage them.
Sometimes when God tells you to do something, do not seek others to assist you, if the Lord has not said so. But trust in the Lord. They may have other gods, and there is a danger of mixed multitude.
Bible tells us that when Zerubabel refused the offer, the men revealed their true colors. Their actions confirmed that they were out to sabotage the plans Zerubabel had. Vs 4 tells us that the people tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, hired/bribed counsellors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus King of Persia, till the reign of King Darius. This opposition continued for 20 years. They were very determined.
If you read from vs 7: there were four main threats in the letter they wrote to King Artaxexes. They indicated that the Jews were rebuilding ‘rebellious and evil city, rebuilding its walls and repairing its foundations’
The devil knows God has good plans for you. He wants to give wrong information to those that matter, and even to you, so that you can be discouraged. But today, we are not ignorant of devils devices, every evil report the enemy is preparing for any of us, we nullify it in Jesus Name.
The four threats were;
• They would withhold money (Vs13 no taxes, kings treasury will be diminished)
• They would dishonour the king (vs 14)
• They had rebelled before (vs15..search and know who we are, we are rebellious)
• They will take over the whole area (vs 16.you will have no dominion beyond the river)
It could be that some of us have received one or two or all of the threats above, from whichever source. Maybe you have been told you shall not receive any more money, or you could be receiving a lot of money, but you cannot account for your expenditures. Or Let us see, if your business shall make sales. Any evil spirit sponsored to withhold money from you, we rebuke it today in Jesus name. Even pastors suffer this one. I will withhold my giving we see. May every one withholding your money, release it this month.
Some may have dishonoured you, or your relationship. Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:4 that marriage is honourable. And could be there are people who have dishonoured your marriage, or your spouse, or your position; from today, we put an end to the source of that frustration, in Jesus Name. May everyone dishonouring you be dishonoured himself.
Possibly someone is threatening you. That ‘you will know me’. We will take over your job, or we shall resist you. May every programmed frustration against your purpose be destroyed in Jesus name. You shall make it. God shall fulfil the desires of your heart. You shall fulfil, achieve and do what God has predestined for you, in Jesus Name.
In Mark 5:35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Jesus is still speaking, but there are voices that are discouraging you. Jesus is still speaking, others are speaking against His word. Even in church, the Lord is still speaking, do not allow other discouraging and misleading voices speak to you. We have a word from the Lord, Don’t be afraid, just believe.
We thank God for His divine intervention. May He intervene in your case, He did it for Zerubabel.
The House of the Lord was completed in Chapter 6, after a delay of 20 years. Chapter 6 vs 14 -16 tells us And 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; 15 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. 16 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.
May God cause divine intervention for you. As a servant of the Lord, I prophesy to this church. You shall accomplish your purpose. That which God has predestined you to do, shall materialize, in Jesus name. If it is building a house for your family, it shall materialize, and we shall dedicate it. If it is educating your children, it shall be accomplished. In Ministry, what God has called you to serve in, shall be accomplished, and we pull down every evil plans, intending to frustrate our purposes and we declare we shall make it. The Lord is on our side. Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world. 2kings 6:16 Elisha told his servant, “Don't be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ I say the same to you. May you build and prosper. May this year, be your year of celebration in the house of the Lord with Joy. Become a better version of yourself.
Our prayer: Galatians 6:17 - From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
