The LORD turned the heart of the King

Ezra 6:22

And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Amid all the opposition that took place against the work of God at Jerusalem, God once again came through for Israel. For you see, in this passage, we see the heathen governor of the land seeking to thwart and hinder God’s work by writing to the king. But the king, having made a decree to search the house of tolls at Babylon, found that Cyrus, a previous king, had decreed that the God’s House be built, and that no one stand in the way of their progress. And now, to the great benefit and joy of God’s people, this King Darius made a further decree that this work go forward with speed and without opposition. He commanded the governor and all people of Judaea to encourage and strengthen and help the work there by providing the goods and expenses needed for the work. And what a help this was to them! God was using King Darius to bring forward the work of God. And let me now remind you that the Lord may use anyone that He desires, for here He turned the heart of the king unto them!

He turned the heart of the king! You and I must pray for this very thing! For if the heart of the highest leaders of this land be for us, it will prosper the work that we are seeking to accomplish. We see how the Lord made them joyful! For they could accomplish the work of God without fear! The Lord made them joyful because their enemies had no power to stand against them! The Lord made them joyful, because now, the House of God could be finished! Yesterday, we saw that the house had been a long time in building, and was not finished. But now, with the king on their side and all the local leaders, nothing is stopping them! They have finished the House of God! And what joy this has brought to them! Their hands had been strengthened in the work!

Now, dear friends, as we ponder over these thoughts, we will discover that this is exactly what we need to pray for in regard to our nation. We know that the leader of our nation cannot keep us from serving God, and our service to God is not dependent on his approval. But, my friends, do you see how valuable the support of the king was to the work? Do you see how important it is that the king make a decree to strengthen the work of God? The king can either hinder or further God’s work. We need a national revival. And if we will have this national revival, the heart of the king must be turned toward us, so we may be strengthened in the work. Will you, my brother or sister, thank God for what He has given us in this land, and ask that the king’s heart be turned to the things of God and the work of God? What a powerful difference this will make! And then, as we celebrate the victories of all God is doing, we shall be joyful! We shall serve God with joy. We shall praise the Lord for His goodness. And our work shall reach new levels and new heights.

“Father, we know that only You can turn someone’s heart. And Your Word has told us that You turn the heart of the king as the rivers of water whithersoever You will. Therefore, we pray that You would turn our leaders toward the work of God and the ways of God. We pray that we would see them encourage and support and strengthen the work of God, so that it may be greatly furthered and prospered. And this will bring great joy to the people of God as we celebrate Your goodness. May Your work be greatly strengthened in these days as we faithfully and diligently pray and serve You, trusting that You will give us the favor we need to accomplish Your work. And we shall praise You for it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”