We Can Overcome Obstacles

http://www.believetrust.com/bible/ezra-4-opposition-rebuilding/

There are so many things in this life that make it hard for us to do the things that we know we need to do. Sometimes they are self inflicted. For example, social media is a highly addictive platform that can affect our mood and suck away hours of our lives. Some of the obstacles we have to overcome a due to the decisions of other people. For me, this was the case in my divorce. There are still many other challenges that we face without understanding why we have to be the one to live with them. This would be the case in the death of my mom and brother. No matter what the trials are we face in life, we can learn from them or dwell on them.
In the book of Ezra, the people of Israel worked together to rebuild the temple including the alter for the sacrifices. They did this because of their faithfulness to the Lord. Then, in chapter 4, the Samaritans tricked the children of Israel into believing that they wanted to help. Instead of helping, they hindered the work. They even wrote a letter to the king and lied about the motives for the city and temple to be rebuilt. Because of this letter, the king commanded they cease the building of the temple. When men were sent to find out what their motive was for building the temple, the people answered, "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago..." (Ezra 5:11). Then, they explained everything they were replacing and why. Finally, the king decrees that the people could be built.
These people learned and showed great things through this trial. First of all, they learned patience. The people did not know how long it would take before they were told they could continue to build the temple. They did know that it was a commandment of the Lord to do so, though. They, also, show that honesty can help with the Lord's work. When the governor asked why and how, they told him exactly how they planned on completing it and that it was for worshiping the Lord. Finally, they learned that the work of the Lord will go on no matter what obstacles are put in the path.