August 7
Ezra 4:24-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27
Sixteen years. The returned exiles began building the temple but had been forced to stop due to a government decree for sixteen years. Imagine the excitement and energy they would have when they returned to Jerusalem and yet how quickly it dissolved into apathy and frustration. They would have sat around for sixteen years as the foundation of the temple sat without any progress. God would be faithful to finish the project but it called for patience--sixteen years of patience--before seeing the completion of the temple.
Similarly, we need patience as we seek to serve God. We are not building temples, but we are building disciples. 1 Corinthians 3 says it is “God who makes things grow.” We need to be faithful to love people well and communicate the gospel, but we can’t save anyone. We are ultimately reliant on God to transform people and need to be patient with his timing. So let us faithfully do God’s work but trust him to bring about the fruit.
Father God, help me to be about your work today. Help me to faithfully serve others and share your love with them. May you work powerfully in their lives to save them and help them grow as followers of you. Amen.
Question of the day: How can you learn to have more patience as you do God’s work?
Sixteen years. The returned exiles began building the temple but had been forced to stop due to a government decree for sixteen years. Imagine the excitement and energy they would have when they returned to Jerusalem and yet how quickly it dissolved into apathy and frustration. They would have sat around for sixteen years as the foundation of the temple sat without any progress. God would be faithful to finish the project but it called for patience--sixteen years of patience--before seeing the completion of the temple.
Similarly, we need patience as we seek to serve God. We are not building temples, but we are building disciples. 1 Corinthians 3 says it is “God who makes things grow.” We need to be faithful to love people well and communicate the gospel, but we can’t save anyone. We are ultimately reliant on God to transform people and need to be patient with his timing. So let us faithfully do God’s work but trust him to bring about the fruit.
Father God, help me to be about your work today. Help me to faithfully serve others and share your love with them. May you work powerfully in their lives to save them and help them grow as followers of you. Amen.
Question of the day: How can you learn to have more patience as you do God’s work?
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