The Lord is incredible. I was reading the book of Ezra today and came across the passage where King Darius of Persia has decreed that the temple of Jerusalem is to be rebuilt.

But there’s more……. Its not just rebuilding that he is allowing, he wants to fund it as well.

Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God: Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and olive oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given them daily without fail, so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons. Furthermore, I decree that if anyone defies this edict, a beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. Ezra 6:8-11

Whilst the Persians weren’t the ones who directly opposed Judah, theywere the defacto oppressors at the time. I just love how God uses opposition to bring provision in this moment.

So often in the midst of opposition we find Gods provision. In situations where we couldn’t imagine God’s breakthrough or provision we see that time and time again He does exactly that.

In the Sermon on the Mount we hear how there is a blessing, or a nearness of God, to the poor in spirit, those who weep, those who have suffered etc. There is something that happens in opposition that it seems difficult to access at other times. I don’t believe you have to suffer in order to meet God in this way but it is how it often happens.

If you are facing opposition today why don’t you flip it and use it as a moment to seek and ask for His provision – maybe there is something in the struggle that will pave the way for your future.