Ezra 5-6: Calling ≠ Easy

God had called the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild His temple. The remnant did indeed return to Jerusalem, and began re-construction with the blessing of King Cyrus. But they encountered a lot of local opposition to their work-- threats to them and their families if they continued to rebuild. So they stopped their work on the temple for a long time, probably thinking-- if God really wanted this to happen, He'd make it easier.

The Jews were called to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, but that did not necessarily mean that their work was going to go smoothly or quickly.

Sometimes I think that if something is God's will that it will all just magically fall into place. If I was meant to do _______, then God would _______. If God really wanted me to be a lawyer, I would pass that test the first time. If I was really meant to be a writer, I would get published. If God really wanted me to be friends with that person, He'd make it easier. If I was supposed to go on that mission trip, I'd have more money.

But that's not how God works. Not with us, and not even with His chosen people.

Not even for the rebuilding of His own temple! God allowed the construction on His temple to fizzle to a stop. He didn't quiet the mouths of those threatening His people. He let them stop working for a while, and the rebuilding of the temple ground to a halt.

In Ezra 5, we see God calling His people to resume their work on His temple. And they listen! They begin construction again. And the threats begin again. And suddenly, their right to build is being questioned by the local authorities. The authorities tattle-tale on the Jews to the new king (Darius) -- wanting to put a stop to the work once and for all. But the Jews didn't wait for the king's approval to
resume their work, this time they worked while they were waiting to hear the final word. God moved in the heart of King Darius and he approved the building project-- with funding! And because they never stopped their work, they didn't lose momentum.

It is almost as if we can measure the way we should go by the amount of resistance we encounter. If we aren't sure if God is calling us, and we encounter boundless obstacles, we can be fairly certain that that is the direction we should go. Because God doesn't care what we think we can do-- He can do all things through us, if we will only let Him. And Satan doesn't want us to do the work of God, so he will throw all his ammunition on the path towards the work of God.  Our pursuit of God's work means putting aside our expectations of how it 'should' go, and trusting God to provide in spite of our failure. In spite of all the resistance we encounter. His work is still good, and we must work on.