Unexpected Road Blocks

Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build 5 and bribed counsellors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. - Ezra 4:4-5

So God has spoken. Your whole body tingled with excitement as you contemplated your step into this new adventure with God.

It has been years in the making. It started when emotion took you by surprise when you watched that video on line. Then it started to multiply as you read God's Word. This rising passion you felt inside was being provoked at every turn.

It grew till passivity was now no longer an option and you now knew that your life was never going to be the same again. It was now time to step out in obedience and faith. With tension gripping your heart you jump with both feet.

Your security is gone, your cover removed, now everyone knows that course you have chosen. Now it's you and God. Will it work? Yes of course it will. You tested and checked so of course it will work.

And then it happens, bang! A totally insurmountable road block in your God vision. Like the returning exiles it comes in many forms:

Discouragement, frustration, compromise, temptation, intimidation, rumour & opposition.

It is then that so many of us give up. We accept the road block and down tools. It is in the face of these obstacles that Godly Leadership is found and formed.

The next chapter in Ezra simply records that the leaders of the mission chose to listen to the voice of God, GOT UP and CONTINUED TO WORK.

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them. - Ezra 5:2