Ezra 4:4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.
The people who returned back to their homeland from captivity were enthusiastically rebuilding the temple of Jerusalem until the enemy sowed seeds of discouragement. The Lord God moved the heart of Cyrus the King of Persia to send the remnant back to Israel to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them (Ezra 1:3). Cyrus provided manpower and material for the temple of God to be rebuilt. Esarhaddon, the king of Assyria had brought Assyrians and settled them in and around Jerusalem and Judah. These people were envious and started discouraging the people of Judah with threats and toxic propaganda. The passionate builders gave ear to listen to the discouragement and the work was disrupted. The enemies got a stay-order and stopped the rebuilding project for about 15 years (535-520) (Ezra 4:24).The Lord God raised Prophet Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people and to complete the rebuilding of the temple of the Lord. Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” (Haggai 1:3-4).
“Discouragement” is a door of entry to the enemy. Discouragement will make us stuck, stop, and surrender. Discouragement will make us lose our focus and forget about our purpose. Misery will dissolve the mission. The enemy interrupted the rebuilding of the temple for 15 years with a temporary stay-order from the king only because the people lent their ears to deception and caved-in to discouragement.
Discouragement is an open door; Discouragers are burglars who steal our purpose and passion:
1. People: Do not give ear to discouragement. The enemy sows dissuasion by fearful possibilities and terrifying probabilities. Listening to the wrong people will pour water on the fire of our passion. The demonic creep into our lives through the negative insinuations and menacing intimidations.
2. Prophets: The words of the prophets and priests encouraged the people. Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied….to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them (Ezra 6:1-2b). Read and reiterate God’s Word to drive out discouragement.
3. Pirates: Words of discouragement are pirates and bandits who will rob our joy and loot our purpose. Discouragement is a thief that comes to steal our success and shatter significance. Don’t leave the door of discouragement open to the pirates.
Stop listening to discouragers. They are pirates who steal our purpose. Discouragement opens the door to the enemy and derails our journey of accomplishment.
Deuteronomy 31:8 “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, when I am discouraged with probabilities, I will encourage myself by reading your Word and holding on to the prophecies. Amen.
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