As we have read through Ezra and Nehemiah we see that they rebuilt the wall and the temple and were given back the land. In Acts we see they were given power to take the land just like when Joshua took the Promised Land. God said, “3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Now they are back in the land rebuilding because they had been disobedient and turned from God to follow their stubborn and stiff-necked ways. Later Jesus came and said, (Luke 4: 8) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
But sadly just like the Israelites the church has turned from the way the way, truth and the life and started following man’s ways, truth and life, which has left us desolate. We even see the results (sin) of that around us. The ministerial in town was given a tour of the Women’s Rural Resource Centre yesterday. They are doing a fantastic job helping women in our community but I could not help but feeling somber as here we sat, the ones who have been given authority to fight against the dark forces of this world where not impacting our town. I listened to the sin that is taking place in our city and it was hard to stomach.
Why rebuild? Paul said in, Romans 8 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” We are the church of Jesus Christ. We have been sent in power so that even the demons submit to us. We have been sent “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free.” All around us are those who need this freedom. Not just the abused but also the abusers need Jesus Christ. We need to rebuild in the name of Jesus Christ so that we can once again see the results of the Kingdom of God coming near.” We cannot do this on our own, so we continue to pray; Lord revive us again!
