Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. – Ezra 4:4

Today's Scripture Reading (November 13, 2026): Ezra 4

Fear strongly affects what we do. We have seen it in elections all over the world. One of the autocrats' tools is to make people afraid to vote, or afraid to vote against the incumbent or ruling party. We see it almost everywhere in modern politics. Usually, one side hopes for a large turnout, while others work to spread fear so some won't show up, or to convince people it is not worth the effort to show up or try. The hope is that people realize it is worth the effort and that every vote matters. Discouragement seems to be a constant in almost everything that we do.

One question we need to ask ourselves and others is: what are we involved in that is really worthwhile? It is not a spiritual question, although it could be. Something worthwhile might be providing a needed service; it could be building a corporation, or working in a non-profit that provides an essential service. It might be involvement in a church or religious group that works to make the world a better place. It might be raising your kids to know the difference between right and wrong. Where are you making a difference, one that is worthwhile?

Wherever it is that you can make a difference, you can expect someone will want to discourage you. Someone will want to make you afraid and lead you to question the direction in which you are going. Somebody will tell you that you are wasting your time, or that you are doing it wrong. If it is really worthwhile, someone will want to stop you. I think too often we hit rough spots and question whether this is the direction in which we should be moving. Does the fact that it is hard or that we are meeting with resistance mean that we should stop? My answer is an emphatic no, because I strongly believe that anything worthwhile will meet resistance.

This is the message I keep giving to myself as I meet resistance trying to do the hard things. The question is really this: Is what I am doing worthwhile? I am convinced that what I am doing is worthwhile. The friends that have gathered around me to join in the journey are important to me. Together, we are rebuilding something the same way Ezra did 2500 years ago. And because of that, I am committed to persist through the resistance.  

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Ezra 5