几年来，犹太人却面临着邻国的反对，重建圣殿的工作停滞不前。这些反对者威胁着上帝的子民，并要求波斯王（他控制着这一地区）停止这项工程。但意想不到的事情发生了：国王非但没有停止这项工程，反而确认已经颁布了重建圣殿的法令，他让犹太人的敌人退后，甚至转而支持这项工程！有时，上帝会从意想不到的渠道提供支持，使祂在这个世界上的工作得以继续。
在个人生活和属灵生命中，我们有时也会发现意想不到的支持。即使我们让老师和教练失望，他们也会对我们施以恩典。雇主可能会慷慨地支持我们渡过家庭危机。配偶可能会对不忠的伴侣表现出深深的宽容和委身。通过这些行动，我们可以瞥见上帝的怜悯和关怀。
“我们还作罪人的时候，基督已经为我们死了”（罗马书 5:8）。圣洁上帝的仁爱是一份意想不到的礼物。但上帝不仅为耶稣的缘故欢迎我们回到祂身边，祂的灵还通过人和制度——甚至国王和政府——来提醒我们该如何生活，如何做正确的事。这是多么令人喜悦的事啊！
神的灵啊，感谢你通过他人的工作来建立我们，使我们更靠近你，与你同在。也求你帮助我们去分享你的恩典。阿们。
以斯拉记 6:1-7, 13-18
1于是大流士王降旨，要寻察典籍库内，就是在巴比伦藏宝物之处。
2在玛代省亚马他城的宫内寻得一卷，其中记着说，
3居鲁士王元年，他降旨论到耶路撒冷神的殿：要建造这殿为献祭之处，坚立殿的根基，殿高六十肘，宽六十肘，
4用三层大石头，一层新木头，经费要出于王库。
5并且神殿的金银器皿，就是尼布甲尼撒从耶路撒冷的殿中掠到巴比伦的，要归还带到耶路撒冷的殿中，各按原处放在神的殿里。
6“现在河西的总督达乃和示他波斯乃，并你们的同党，就是住河西的亚法萨迦人，你们当远离他们。
7不要拦阻神殿的工作，任凭犹大人的省长和犹大人的长老在原处建造神的这殿。
13于是，河西总督达乃和示他波斯乃并他们的同党，因大流士王所发的命令，就急速遵行。
14犹大长老因先知哈该和易多的孙子撒迦利亚所说劝勉的话，就建造这殿，凡事亨通。他们遵着以色列神的命令和波斯王居鲁士、大流士、亚达薛西的旨意，建造完毕。
15大流士王第六年，亚达月初三日，这殿修成了。
16以色列的祭司和利未人，并其余被掳归回的人，都欢欢喜喜地行奉献神殿的礼。
17行奉献神殿的礼就献公牛一百只，公绵羊二百只，绵羊羔四百只；又照以色列支派的数目献公山羊十二只，为以色列众人做赎罪祭。
18且派祭司和利未人按着班次在耶路撒冷侍奉神，是照摩西律法书上所写的。
"Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site." - Ezra 6:7
For several years, the rebuilding of the temple stalled while the Jewish people faced opposition from their neighbors. These opponents threatened God's people and called on the king of Persia (who controlled the area) to stop this work. But then something unexpected happened: instead of stopping the work, the king confirmed that a decree had been issued to rebuild the temple, and he told the enemies of the Jews to back off—and even to support the work instead! Sometimes God provides support from unexpected sources to keep his work going in this world.
In our personal and spiritual lives, we may find unexpected support at times too. Teachers and coaches may show us grace even if we have let them down. Employers may support us generously through a family crisis. A spouse may show deep and forgiving commitment to their partner who has been unfaithful. Through actions like these we gain glimpses of the mercy and care of God.
"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). The gracious love of the holy God is an unexpected gift. But God not only welcomes us back to himself for Jesus' sake; his Spirit also works through people and systems— even kings and governments— to remind us how to live and to do what is right. What a cause for joy!
Spirit of God, thank you for the work you do through others to build us up and draw us closer to being at home with you. Help us to share your grace too. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
