Scripture Reading: Ezra 4:1-2
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity built the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; Then they came to Zerubbabel, and the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

Reflections: God overturned the captivity of the Jews in Babylon and caused them to return to their land. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they began to build the broken-down temple. Their adversaries heard about their sudden breakthrough and devised strategies to stop them. Disguising their evil intentions, they came to Zerubbabel to offer their support for the reconstruction of their temple. They told Zerubbabel their gesture was driven by their desire to seek the God of Israel. Zerubbabel however, saw through their evil plot. He knew it was a ploy to get his people to compromise their relationship with God. This will create room for setbacks in their efforts to rebuild their land. Consequently, he rejected their offer at once. One of the mechanisms the enemy uses to introduce setbacks into our lives is to get us to compromise our relationship with God. Like Zerubbabel, you must always discern why people may want to offer any help to you and refuse their gestures as long as it is going to lead you to compromise your faith.

Prayer: Oh Lord, let me see through any strategy of the enemy to get me to compromise my faith.

Confession: I will not compromise my faith.