Ezra 3
GOD was not only restoring a temple when He stirred Ezra to lead the exiles, God was rebuilding the people. The project was not just a building; it was God's power transforming a scattered people into becoming a powerful testimony of transformation.
A testimony that ultimately fulfilled the coming of the Messiah, a Deliverer not exclusive to the Jewish people but inclusive to all who will believe by faith! When they rebuilt the altar, God also rebuilt attitudes. Altars and attitudes are linked! Those who worship God at the altar will graciously display a God-authored transformation... a kind of change that only Yahweh can do!
Whatever God is asking you to do as ministry or project, watch the invisible hands of God molding you. Rebuilding altars take skilled workers; rebuilding attitudes needs the hand of a merciful God. Once God starts the rebuilding of your worship life, people see a testimony of transformed attitudes. As they rebuilt the broken altar which symbolized Israel’s deep spiritual decay, they displayed a remarkably attractive portrait of unity and selflessness. Rebuilt altars and rebuilt attitudes results in a transformed nation whose leader is God
Here are my thoughts about God's hand as seen in the ATTITUDES of those building the altar—6 God-transformed attitudes. As they were rebuilding the altar of God, God transformed the builders!
Display of Courage without provocation: v 3
Rebuilding altars in captivity is “rebellion” ...yet their attitude of rebuilding did not display a provocation to stir hate or to prove something. It was courage with a smile wrapped in a winsome display of grace. What a sight! What a testimony! What an opportunity to honor the Almighty—this is attitude.
Generosity amidst Adversity
No pressure
No politics
No pride
Just wholehearted giving for God's glory! Pure, contagious, cheerful giving in times of economic inflation!
Joy in Captivity: v 6
The festivals observed were expressions of joy...rejoicing, not out of the situation they were in but from a solid faith that God's mercy endures forever—a visible reminder of the invisible hope. Why do we close our eyes when we kiss or pray? Denzel Washington replies—because of sights seen with eyes closed...felt by the heart rather than fed by the mind. Again, this is attitude! God is honored when He is the center of our celebrations.
Rules without Rigidity: v 7-10
Make no mistake about it...we need rules to provide order and framework. Rules are powerless to transform the heart—only the love of God can do that! More than clear job descriptions, they had remarkable attitudes! There was willingness and joy to do what rule demands, not out of shame or a result of being shamed but a clear display of God's power transforming people. There was an atmosphere of cooperation, not suspicion; a venue of dedication, not forced labor. Their best was given wholeheartedly in excellence; not performance! They were overjoyed servants giving their best, not overworked slaves competing to be the best.
Relationship without Abuse
It's very possible that our ways of dealing with ourselves and others are abusive. Abused people have the tendency to abuse others. A God-transformed attitude relates to others without being abusive, respecting people as people...releasing others to be what God wants them to be. Responsibility for the welfare of others is seen as they work as a team. They had different positions and functions and God stirred their hearts to observe rules without rigidity!
Worship beyond Rituals: v 11-13
Worship of God involves these elements: 1. Fear of God. 2. Faith in God. 3. Feelings expressed for God (v. 13) as they veered towards the complete laying of the temple’s foundation. They truly worshipped God beyond religious rituals...meaning, they used their hearts and expressed their feelings. Weeping and shouts of joy mixed! While many of us know about the fear of God and faith in God, we need God's transformation to learn how to express our feelings as we worship! When God stirs a heart, God transforms attitudes. The ideal becomes intrinsic and transformed intrinsic attitudes become testimonies of grace which can only be attributed to God! A testimony of grace is contagious unto the next generation. A theology without transformation of lives is bogus!
Abba, stir my heart and rebuild the broken altar within. As I return to worship, transform my attitude that it may reflect the image of Jesus. Use this transformation to stir repentance and redemption. Let me rejoice again. Amen! Thanks for reading.