Opposition, pressure, and delay can tempt any believer to give up — but God calls us to stay the course. In this message from Ezra 4, Pastor Jeff McNicol shows how God’s people refused compromise, endured under pressure, and trusted His timing through long seasons of waiting. Their story reminds us that God’s purposes never stall, even when ours do.

In Faith Foundations (Ezra 3:7–13), we see Israel begin rebuilding the temple’s foundation and rediscover the foundations of their faith. Pastor Jeff reminds us that God always completes what He begins, that praise is right no matter what’s left unfinished, and that the past should inspire—not limit—the future. When we trust God in the process, even small beginnings become sacred.

In First Things First (Ezra 3:1–6), Pastor Jeff reminds us that true restoration begins with worship, not work. As the Israelites rebuilt their lives after exile, their first step was to reestablish the altar and gather in unity. This message invites us to prioritize God’s presence, engage in community, and embrace the steady rhythms of a faithful life.

In Ezra 2, a first wave of exiles returns to Jerusalem to rebuild worship and recover identity as God’s treasured people. The chapter shows how every role matters in the worshiping life of God’s people and how devotion gives freely—before the outcomes are clear. This message calls us to answer God’s call today by anchoring our identity in Christ, expanding worship into everyday life, and expressing wholehearted obedience.