Yet it is not finished

Ezra 5:16

…and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.

Most of us will be familiar with the story of the return of the Jews to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerubbabel, and others. God stirred them up and sent them back to their homeland, where they sought to restore and revive the house of God and the work of God. God gave them the favor of Cyrus king of Persia, so that they could have the legal and governmental support to effect this work. And it began strong! The foundation of the temple of the Lord was laid. Things started strong! But then, as we discovered yesterday, the work ceased. The adversaries came along and began to oppose the work. And, although adversaries ought to be expected against the work of the Lord, the people of God should not cease because of the enemy. And that is what they did! The work ceased!

But as we continue to read through Ezra, we see that after the Lord spoke to His people through Haggai and Zechariah, the work started up again! And continued on! And they did finish the work that they had started. But, dear friends, it took longer than it ought to have. Much time was wasted. Tatnai, the governor over the region sent a letter to Darius the king, enquiring whether this work should continue. And in the letter that was sent, it was told to the king that the foundation had been laid and the people of God had been a long time in building, but yet—but yet! The work is not finished! They began years ago, and still it is only half done!

And is this not a great warning to us? Do not leave the work half done! Has the Lord called you to something? Has He given you a work to complete? Brothers and sisters, do not allow it to cease and stand vacant. Do not allow the enemies and adversaries to keep you from finishing what you have started. Let us not lose the things which we have wrought. Jesus set the perfect example when He said on the cross, “It is finished.” He completed it. He accomplished the work given to Him. But we are weak and frail. We are often prone to giving up and quitting. But do not quit! Do not capitulate to the enemy! Do not cease! For then, once it has ceased, it will be hard to begin again. It shall remain useless. We must continue, and we must finish. Let none other say that we have stopped in the middle of it. Let’s finish the work!

“Father, how we praise You that the Word of God always speaks to the need of the hour. And what a timely reminder this has been! Let us not cease or pause the work, but help us to continue, we pray. For we desire that the work You have given us to do will be fully and completely accomplished before our time on earth ends. May we be faithful, and may we work, for the night surely is coming. And these things we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.”