October 03, 2021: SOAP #4322:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Ezra (NIV) 6:21 So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the LORD, the God of Israel.
22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

OBSERVATION:   The joy they had, came from the Lord!  “The LORD had filled them with joy!”  But what interested me is how the Lord brought the joy.

The continuation of the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem had threatened by enemies of the Jews.  A search had been made by Assyrian King Darius to determine if a decree had previously been made by King Cyrus.  Yes, it was found.  Then King Darius increased support for the Jews.  He encouraged them on to completion.  He assisted them.  The reconstruction was complete; and they celebrated Passover (the Feast of Unleavened Bread) with rejoicing that King Darius had changed his attitude. 

APPLICATION:   The Lord has MANY ways to fill me with joy.  Sometimes it is what He shows me in His word.  Sometimes it is what He does for me.  But it may also be through what others do that affects me, or what they do for me. 

A card, a word of encouragement, or a helping hand can make a heart smile.  An act of appreciation or kindness can insert joy into someone’s heart and encourage them to finish their task. 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for using others to bring joy to my heart.  I pray that you use me to bring joy to others. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!