Unstoppable God

CONSIDER THIS

Forget dusty history! The books of Ezra and Nehemiah — originally one epic, cinematic story — tracks the Jewish exiles ditching Babylon to rebuild their lives in Jerusalem. It’s a three-act journey of grit, community and spiritual fresh starts:

• Zerubbabel leads the first group of exiles back to rebuild the temple so God’s presence will be with them again..
• Ezra the priest arrives to rebuild the community by teaching the Torah and urges the community to stay away from surrounding pagan customs.
• Nehemiah, a cupbearer for the Persian king, shows up to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

As these three leaders seek to rebuild Israel, they face major opposition, from unexpected places. Still, God is sovereign. Nothing can stop them from overcoming every obstacle and barrier that comes across their path. God’s promises are unstoppable and never fail.

Even though they faithfully complete their missions, their story ends on a sour note. No amount of reform or brickwork can change the human heart. This story leaves us longing for a much greater restoration, pointing to our need of a Savior.

Jesus is our ultimate guide. He’s right there with us, leading us out of the exile of sin and walking with us every step of the way into the safety of God’s presence. Even when we feel totally lost, Jesus is all about rebuilding, restoring and welcoming us home.