The first part of Ezra (1-6) is the story of how Gentile kings - Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes - are the driving force behind having the Jerusalem temple rebuilt after the Jews are taken into exile.
The temple stands completed at last and the Jews celebrate by observing the Passover.
"So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the Lord, the God of Israel. For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel." (Ezra 6:22 - bold mine)
This instance of God working in and through secular leaders is a great faith-builder for me, a Canadian citizen, living in a time when the legislators in my country are bent on passing laws offensive to God. I remind myself:
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD ; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. (Proverbs 21:1)
Skirmishes in the war:
The pro-gay ads playing as part of the deluge of commercials before the feature performance at Famous Players Theaters in Canada, will end this Thursday.
But now, what’s with this - Canadian Tire sponsoring ‘My Fabulous Gay Wedding.’?!
(Hat-tip: Proud to Be Canadian)
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