But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.
– Ezra 5:5
I love this phrase, “But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews.” The context here is God’s people are rebuilding the temple, and in Ezra 4, they are discouraged, and people are trying to stop them from doing God’s work. And then again, in Ezra 5, there’s question, “By what authority are you rebuilding this temple?”
Ezra 5:5 encourages us to obey God despite the enemy’s distractions.
In other words, God’s people are under attack, not physically, but in other ways, and as this happens, Ezra 5:5 says, “The eye of their God was on them,” and they kept doing this work that God had called them to do with trust in God.
Maybe to flip the language a bit, the eye of God was upon them, and they kept their eyes upon God. And I just want to encourage you today, as you obey God, as you follow the leadership of his Spirit, do not be surprised when the adversary uses all kinds of different avenues to try to discourage you, to distract you, to destroy you, and the work that God has called you to do. Just keep your eyes fixed on God and know Ezra 5:5, that the eye of your God is upon you. Be faithful to do all God calls you to do, knowing you will face challenges in this world. You will face attacks from the adversaries, spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, Ephesians 6 says. Keep your eyes on God in the midst of it, and know that his eye is on you.
Ezra 5:5 teaches us to faithfully follow God with our eyes fixed on him.
Oh God, we praise you as the Sovereign Lord over our lives, the one with all authority and all power in all the universe. The one who loves us, cares for us. You are the one who possesses compassion for us. The one who leads us and guides us as our Good Shepherd. And so we pray today, help each of us to faithfully follow you with our eyes fixed on you.
God, help us not to live for the applause of others. God help us not to live for the approval of man. Help us to live for an audience of one today. Help us to live with our eyes fixed on you, knowing that as your children, your eyes are fixed on us. God, help us to be faithful with your eyes fixed on us and our eyes fixed on you. And God, we pray for all kinds of our brothers and sisters around us and around the world, who are facing discouragement, who are facing challenges and attacks from the adversary. We pray for your protection. We pray for your provision. And we pray for their perseverance that, just like the elders of the Jews did here in Ezra 5:5… That they would continue in obedience to you no matter what it costs, knowing that you are their reward.
Prayer for the Batlukh-Gid People
And God, we pray specifically today for the Batlukh-Gid people of Russia. Oh God, this 31,000 member people group with no known followers of Jesus. God, we pray for the spread of the gospel to the Batlukh-Gid people of Russia. And we pray that you give perseverance to your church to follow your leadership by your Spirit. Knowing anyone who tries to reach the Batlukh-Gid people of Russia will face challenges. God help them. Give them success. Keep your eyes upon them and their eyes upon you. That the Batlukh-Gid people might come to know you as their Savior and Lord and Father. We pray this in Jesus’ name according to Ezra 5:5. Amen.
David Platt serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Radical, an organization that helps people follow Jesus and make him known in their neighborhood and all nations.
David received his B.A. from the University of Georgia and M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Some of his published works include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, and Don’t Hold Back.
He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children.
