Ezra 6

 The second half of Ezra 6 gives us the story of the completion of the Temple.  I love what scripture tells us happens when the word of King Darius gets back to the governor: “They carried out the decree ………. precisely and promptly”.  Is that what you do when you get direction?  Is it prompt and precise obedience?  That is what God expects from us.  He doesn’t want arguing, procrastination, diversion or any of a host of other things we might do.  He just wants us to get after it and do it His way.  NOW.  Too often we have to analyze, prioritize, fantasize and who knows what other “ize” we may apply to God’s truth.  We need to just do it.  His way, His time, every time.  The result of their obedience – the Temple is finished and they “celebrate” – not just a little party – one whopping big celebration.  They sacrificed 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs – this was no ordinary deal.  The key is that by working together in obedience to God’s direction under the leadership of God’s chosen men – Haggai and Zechariah – this job was put to bed and completed.  The chapter ends with these words – which I think should be our goal for life: “GOD had plunged them into a sea of joy”.  Are you living in a sea of joy?  How did they get there?  They didn’t do it themselves.  God “plunged them” there because they obeyed and got after it.  I don’t think it is a stretch at all to think we can experience the same if we do the same.  After all, our God is the same “yesterday, today and forever”.  He is the great “I Am”.  He wants the same result in your life and mine.  JOY!  Jesus came that we may have life full of “abundant joy”.  It happens when we walk with God.  When we obey and do what He has instructed.  Much of those instructions are already written in the Bible.  Some He delivers to us in other ways – be He isn’t hiding it and we already know a lot of it.  The breakdown comes in our heart at the level of obedience.  Let me ask again – are you filled with JOY?