They meant it for evil

The past couple of weeks we have seen the enemies of Israel come and do all they can to put a stop to the work that God gave Israel to do, to build a temple in Jerusalem.

There were many different groups that were trying to bring an end to the work. They all worked for evil but God turned it for good

This is something that God has always done for his people and will continue doing

God worked to provide the needed resources

When Darius searched out the matter he not only found permission but a decree to provide the materials needed

It took 21 years to build the temple and this letter sent by the enemies was what provided the needed materials to bring about its completion (8)

Not only resources for building but also for the priests and sacrifices so that the completed temple could fulfil its purpose in bring glory to God (9-10)

God is able to meet all your needs according to the riches he has in heaven

He is rich in grace and mercy to meet all your spiritual needs of forgiveness and salvation

He can sustain you and provide for you as a heavenly father

God worked to provide the needed protection

Not only did Darius provide resources but also protection from all their enemies (11-12)

Now the people could work freely to finish the work that God gave them to do

They were able to finally bring the temple to completion just as God commanded them to do (14)

God is able to strengthen us in all that he has asked us to do

He is all-powerful and can help us in our life

God has sent help and truth to instruct us along the way

God worked to provide the needed passover

With the completed temple and the people returned from captivity, they could once again keep the passover (19-20)

This feast was a reminder of all that God had done for them

They separated themselves to seek the Lord (21)

God provided a lamb for Abraham (Gen 22:8), God provided the passover to deliver his people from Egypt (Exodus 12:27), God provided his only begotten Son to be the passover lamb for all people

It was God who turned the heart of the king of Assyria

It was God who was the provider and he is still the provider today