Day Fifty-Two “Roadblocks”

        We have endured an incredibly wet spell here in the hills of Pennsylvania, one might say that we have experienced our own personal monsoon season. Our neighborhood is laced with streams and creeks, winding their way peacefully through the rural landscape like ribbons curled around a gift. But recently, those peaceful streams have morphed into dangerous rivers, leaving in their wake destroyed property and roads dotted with detour signs. Getting from point A to point B can now be likened to mouse fumbling his way through a maze.

          Satan is great at roadblocks. If you need proof of that fact, leaf through the book of Ezra. After years of captivity, King Cyrus fulfilled God’s promise to His people by allowing the Jews to return to their beloved land and rebuild their temple (under Ezra’s leadership). With the explicit permission of this most powerful Persian king, one would think that no one would mess with the Jews, no resistance would arise, but resistance was immediate! Satan began with a sly ploy; the adversaries in the land would help the Hebrews, “Let us build WITH you.” Ezra knew the importance of keeping God’s people separate and replied, “Ye have nothing to do with us,” we will build this sacred temple, just us…and God. 

         The roadblocks continued, Satan was unrelenting.  We are told that the heathen inhabitants of the land troubled these returning Hebrews, weakened their hands, hired counselors against them, and frustrated their purpose.  When the people of God refused to be deterred, one last, desperate attempt to thwart the work of God immerged.  A deceptive letter was sent to the new king, Darius, warning him that the Jews were known for “sedition and rebellion,” they were too dangerous to be trusted, this work needed to be stopped, now!  This roadblock worked, “…for then ceased the work of the house of God.” But our God is powerful, capable of crushing any roadblock. The temple would be completed in spite of the roadblocks, God’s people would witness the glory of God once again, and Satan would be handed a daunting defeat.

        Don’t be surprised by temporary roadblocks in your service to God and your walk with Him.  Satan is an unrelenting adversary, he wants the work of God stopped, the children of God miserable.  But he is NO match for the King of Kings. When roadblocks arise in your life, when your path is flooded with trials and pain, place all your trust in your powerful Father.  Victory is ours when God is on our side! Isn’t it great to be on the winning side?

I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Lord, when obstacles arise, I cannot remove them in my power, so help me to lean on You for the victory. Thank You that Your strength is available to me.   

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