An Encouraging Word: Cracked Pots
“the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem”
– Ezra 3:1)
In my quiet time with the Lord the other day, I opened to the book of Ezra and the first verse packed a punch! Those three little words became like flashing lights on a neon sign, underscored and highlighted, “as one man.” I thought, WOW! These people gathered together with such unity of heart, for one purpose and for one pure and holy passion, to rebuild the temple!
What an awesome explanation of “unity” is given to us in this scripture. What resolve and determination of the unified people of God, knit together in love, to the call of the gospel and the work of the ministry, that corporately we would be seen “as one man.” I was quickly reminded of Psalm 133:1 that speaks of the blessed unity of the people of God! “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity,” and how effective and influential it makes the body of Christ.
It’s even more powerfully understood when we are told that 50,000 people had gathered to do this work –to rebuild the temple! Many Jews such as Daniel, Mordecai and Esther rose to prominent positions within the nation. Daniel became prime minister, a political power in the kingdom second only to the king himself, as did Mordecai, and Esther as Queen. Those names alone speak profoundly to our hearts of how we are to live out our faith, knowing “if God be for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31).
As we see in the following scripture, “when you face difficult situations and feel surrounded, outnumbered, overpowered, or outclassed, remember that God’s power is not limited to your resources. He is able to use anyone to carry out His plans.”
Ezra 1:4 says, 'the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go and build the house of the Lord God (He is God)... And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God...”
Does God have a vision for us? for His Church? God still wants His people to be unified to His work of redemption in the world.
What is your part?
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a consecrated nation, a special people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies, the wonderful deeds, virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His glorious light.”
Ezra and the people of God faced opposition from the “adversaries,” to discourage the people, to trouble them and frustrate their purpose” (Ezra 4:1-5,16). Why? Because when they heard that the temple was being built they were immediately aware that it would be a fatal blow (to the kingdom of darkness) rendering the enemy powerless!
Someone once said, "Let us resolve upon a life with God seriously not because we know no other way but because there is no better way!" Our affections draw us to our commitments! So ask yourself this question, "Is your passion for the things of God dictating the things you're committed to and how you spend your time?”
That we would come together in these days “as one man” to draw a fatal blow to the kingdom of darkness and render the enemy powerless!
Each of you play a vital role! Each is of great importance! Sarah laughed when God told Abraham she would have a son through her. She laughed not so much from a lack of faith in what God could do, but from doubt about what He could do through her! Do you feel that way sometimes? Remember, He is greater than our doubts!
Every day, she made her way to the stream from which she would draw water enough to fill the two large pots she would carry half a mile back to the manor. One of the pots being cracked, by the time she arrived, only a pot and a half were full.
After a few years, the cracked pot said,
"I'm not worthy. I try to be. I want to be. I mean to be. But I never come through, I only make it half way. Why didn't you discard me long ago?"
"I want to show you something," the servant girl replied. And she took the pots on the walk again.
"What do you see?"
"All kinds of flowers," the pot answered.
"That's right," the girl said. They're there because every day, without you even knowing it, you watered the ground so they could grow."
In His Love,
Tina DiGangi