The Lord's Use of Government Red Tape - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 5:5,

"The eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received."

Not all red tape is bad. Here is a divine utilization of "government red tape" that kept the construction project of rebuilding the temple moving forward. This observation was made concerning the occasion when the Trans-Euphrates governor, Tattenai, questioned the civil authority by which these Jews began the temple restoration project.

Apparently there must have been some kind of zoning commission at the time that required projects be pre-approved by the local authorities. Maybe they failed to post a building permit? Humor aside, it points to the opposition the Jews had in rebuilding the temple.

When the Lord has determined to move on something he has ordained, nothing can stop it. I am reminded of Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." I suspect we might be surprised of the many and varied ways the Lord has used to move his agenda ahead.

As a massive fully-loaded freight train traveling at 100 miles an hour is unstoppable, how much more so the Lord as he tends to the agenda he is pursuing!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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