Thurs., 1/4/18 Devotion (Ezra 4:4-5a)

Today's encouragement comes from Ezra 4:4 & 5a, where we read these words:

"Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose . . . "

Are we doing anything worthwhile with our lives? If we are, then we are build-ing up the church, the body of Christ. This effort will be fiercely opposed—not only by the devil and his fallen angelic minions, but by wicked men as well. To top it all off, even our own flesh fights against us.

Nothing truly good or valuable is accomplished in this world for Christ, His gospel, or His church without the determined resistance of God's enemies. But let us not be discouraged by this. It is in the fight, and the effort, that we become strong and resolute (in Christ).

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not how much we do, but how much we love.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]