You Are a Builder (Like Nehemiah, Like Cyrus)
Scripture
“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: ‘All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up… and build the house of the LORD…’”
– Ezra 1:2–3 (NKJV)
Devotion
In the early hours of the morning, God led Pastor Darren to the book of Ezra. Seventy years of Babylonian captivity were ending. God “stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” to release His people and fund the rebuilding of the temple.
Notice a few things:
Pastor Darren connected this to our day: he believes God is stirring people—inside and outside the church—to fund and participate in kingdom work. He even said he believes there’s a billionaire God will use to help build a “lighthouse” for the lost. Whether or not you ever see that billionaire, the point stands: God stirs, and God provides, but His people must respond.
Like Nehemiah, who said, “I am just a cupbearer” yet felt stirred to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, you might feel ordinary, underqualified, or late to the party. But God doesn’t ask what you were. He asks if you’ll join what He’s building now.
If you belong to Jesus, you are not a spectator; you are a builder.
Reflection
1. Where do you most feel God “stirring” you lately—an unrest, a burden, an idea you can’t shake? Write it down.
2. Have you been telling God, “I’m just a [fill in the blank]” like Nehemiah the cupbearer? What might God be saying back to you?
3. Pray: “Lord, stir me and use me in Your rebuilding work. I say yes to the part You’ve assigned me.”
“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: ‘All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up… and build the house of the LORD…’”
– Ezra 1:2–3 (NKJV)
Devotion
In the early hours of the morning, God led Pastor Darren to the book of Ezra. Seventy years of Babylonian captivity were ending. God “stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” to release His people and fund the rebuilding of the temple.
Notice a few things:
- God used a pagan king—but only after stirring his spirit.
- The call went out: “Who is among you of all His people? …let him go up and build.”
- God also stirred the people to give and support the work (Ezra 1:4–6).
Pastor Darren connected this to our day: he believes God is stirring people—inside and outside the church—to fund and participate in kingdom work. He even said he believes there’s a billionaire God will use to help build a “lighthouse” for the lost. Whether or not you ever see that billionaire, the point stands: God stirs, and God provides, but His people must respond.
Like Nehemiah, who said, “I am just a cupbearer” yet felt stirred to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, you might feel ordinary, underqualified, or late to the party. But God doesn’t ask what you were. He asks if you’ll join what He’s building now.
If you belong to Jesus, you are not a spectator; you are a builder.
Reflection
1. Where do you most feel God “stirring” you lately—an unrest, a burden, an idea you can’t shake? Write it down.
2. Have you been telling God, “I’m just a [fill in the blank]” like Nehemiah the cupbearer? What might God be saying back to you?
3. Pray: “Lord, stir me and use me in Your rebuilding work. I say yes to the part You’ve assigned me.”