DELAY IS NOT DENIAL
Ezra 1, 4

During the time of captivity of the children of Israel, the temple was destroyed. At the time when the door was opened for the captive to return, the word of God came to manifestation. A pagan ruler, Cyrus the king of Persia was moved as prophesied that a man named Cyrus would issue an order in support of the rebuilding of the temple. Ezra 1:1-2, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 2 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.” What the Lord has purposed for you will not fail; neither shall it be disconnected by any position of authority. Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” The heart of the ones in authority will be stirred on your behalf for your favor. The heart of the king of Persia was stirred yet the devil did not give up and wanted to have a part or role so as not to make the building of the temple come to pass.  Just as there was an open door for the temple to be built, there were also agents and adversaries, the enemy of progress. As the building progressed the resistance to build also presented itself. This was God’s project facing resistance in the hand of the evil ones and his agents. If God’s project can face such a resistance yours can also face resistance. The adversaries of the children of Israel succeeded as far as making the project of God cease. Ezra 4:24, “Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” The project of God ceased and it was delayed. Are you experiencing delay in any area of your life? The adversaries could only delay but they could not deny the project from getting completed. Your project will be completed. Who can shut what God opens? It is recorded in Ezra 6:14-15, “So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.  15 Now the temple was finished…” Are you concerned about any delay? Be encouraged that the same God will complete your project. Be mindful of this, a blessing in delay is not a blessing in denial.

Prayer for today: Ask God to permanently terminate and destroy any adversary that is playing a role in the delay of your breakthrough.