28 April | EVERYONE
“Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors 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
On the rocky road that leads to the realization of dreams, you will find thorns and thistles. Broken stones and cracked ground will cross your pilgrimage. It is not easy to achieve your aspirations.
That was Israel's experience as they returned from exile after seventy years of captivity. Their dream was to rebuild the city and the temple that was partially destroyed by the Assyrian invaders. God's work involves restoration, while the enemy's ambition is destruction. The devil will do everything possible and impossible to keep the divine work from advancing. “Whoever attempts the work of reform will have decided opposition to meet" (Ellen G. White, This Day with God, p. 49).
When the people began the work of restoration, the Samaritans arrived offering help. A cunning strategy of the enemy. To Eve, he presented himself as an innocent serpent. To Joseph, he approached as a beautiful woman, and to Ezra and the Jews, he approached them as a friend.
But Zerubbabel, the priest who watched over the spiritual life of the people, refused the "help," and then the enemy showed their true intentions: "The people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building." The enemy knew that fear paralyzes. A people in fear would be incapable of building or rebuilding. A person in fear lives paralyzed, watching the parade of the winners.
The Samaritans on that occasion bribed some Jews, but nothing prevented their dream from being realized because nothing can stop the progress of those who trust in God. Therefore, do not be afraid, even if the enemy prepares a web of intrigues.
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Always remember that, in practice, faith is the opposite of fear and functions as its antidote. The higher the faith, the less you will succumb to fear. Trust in your loving Father will make you rise above the paralyzing fear.