Knowing the Times

There are times in history when God does something new that brings fresh hope and opportunity to the people of God. One such time was when he arranged for Persian king Cyrus to release his people from their captivity. God had forgiven his people and his favour rested on them. Many took the opportunity to return to Israel, and 'Ezra—Nehemiah' is the story of how they fared.

A greater time of restoration awaited however and we live in that time. God has sent Jesus to turn us from our sins, to blot them out in fact, so that times of refreshing may come—the return of Jesus in power to renew all things. What God said and did in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah will be helpful to us as we live in our moment of hope and opportunity.