Ezra 1-3

King Cyrus sent the Israelite captives back to Jerusalem so they could rebuild the Temple of the Lord.  This decree happened about seventy years after the exile…that is a long time to wait for deliverance.

But deliverance came.

There is a lesson in that for all of us who are waiting for the Lord to deliver us from our captivities.

I’ve been somewhat depressed this weekend because my prayers for complete healing don’t appear to have taken effect over my body, at least as far as the level of pain is concerned.  Yet this story is encouraging to me.  At the moment, pain and anxiety have a hold on me…but not for long.  Not for long.  Not for long.  Deliverance is on the way.