AM Service 30 Aug 26 | How Can I Please God in a Broken World?

Devotional

Day 1: When Weeping and Shouting Collide at the Foundation

The temple’s foundation stirred both tears and triumph. Ancient priests who remembered Solomon’s grandeur wept at the modest beginnings, while others shouted for joy at God’s faithfulness. Foundations matter—they carry the weight of memory and the promise of what’s to come. Every rebuilding starts with rubble, every revival with raw obedience. What seems small today—a prayer, a step of faith—becomes the bedrock for generations. God’s mercy outlasts disappointment, turning mourning into anthem. The noise of renewal always echoes farther than we think. [23:11]

And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. (Ezra 3:10–11, ESV)

Reflection: What foundation are you laying today that might stir both grief and hope in others? How does God’s steadfast love anchor you when progress feels fragile?

Day 2: Letters That Weaken Hands and Trouble Builders

Opposition often arrives disguised as reason. Adversaries sent political letters to halt the temple, exploiting fear and fatigue. Resistance still comes—through distractions, doubts, or delays—to weaken resolve. Yet every “cease and desist” demands a choice: retreat or rebuild. The enemy fears foundations more than finished walls. Standing requires remembering whose decree started the work. Courage isn’t the absence of trouble but the presence of truth rehearsed. [25:17]

Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. (Ezra 4:4, 24, ESV)

Reflection: What “letters” of discouragement have you allowed to pause your spiritual rebuilding? How will you rehearse God’s promises to counter today’s opposition?

Day 3: A Pagan King’s Scroll and the God Who Finishes

Cyrus’s decree began the work, but Darius’s scroll ensured it. God uses unlikely allies—even pagan kings—to fulfill His plans. When adversaries demanded proof, the builders pointed to a dusty scroll with heaven’s signature. Divine purposes often hide in forgotten places: a Bible verse highlighted years ago, a prayer journal entry, a promise whispered in worship. What man dismisses, God redeems. His words never return void, even when buried under time. [28:08]

Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue. (Ezra 6:7–8, ESV)

Reflection: What forgotten “scroll” of God’s past faithfulness can you reclaim today? Where do you need to trust His timing over human delays?

Day 4: The Third-Day Temple and Our Finished Work

The temple was completed on the third day—a shadow of Christ’s resurrection. Our striving cannot add to what He finished. Like Ezra’s builders, we labor not to earn favor but to honor the victory already won. Communion reminds us: the true temple was torn down and raised in three days. Every act of obedience now flows from His completed work, not toward it. The blood-stained foundation secures our shaky steps. [29:10]

And this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. (Ezra 6:15–16, ESV)

Reflection: Where are you striving to “build” what Christ has already secured? How does His finished work free you to serve with joy, not anxiety?

Day 5: Ezra’s River Ahava Fast and the Unprotected Mission

Ezra refused soldiers, staking the mission on God’s protection. At the River Ahava, they fasted, afflicting their souls instead of assembling bodyguards. Surrender often looks like weakness—no backup plans, no human guarantees. Yet fasting sharpens spiritual sight, trading self-reliance for dependence. The journey ahead demands not more armor but more awe. Who needs swords when the Lord’s hand is upon you? [32:27]

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him.” (Ezra 8:21–22, ESV)

Reflection: What “soldiers” of self-sufficiency are you clinging to? Where is God inviting you to replace control with fasting and faith?

Sermon Summary

Ezra opens with God stirring a pagan king, Cyrus, to send His people back to Jerusalem to build the house of the Lord. The returning people rise up because God has raised their spirits, and they give freely according to their ability. The foundation becomes a reason for loud praise and loud weeping, because some remember what was lost while others rejoice in what God is beginning again.

Opposition then comes against the building work. The people of the land weaken their hands, trouble them, and cause the work to cease for a time. God answers through His prophets, through the courage of Zerubbabel and the builders, and through the old decree found on the scroll. Cyrus says, “Build it,” and Darius reinforces it: “Let the work of this house of God alone.” The house is finished, the Passover is kept, and the finished temple points forward to the finished work of the Lord Jesus.

Ezra’s prayer brings the matter down to personal sin. Ezra blushes before God because iniquities have increased over the head of the people, yet grace gives “a little space,” “a nail in his holy place,” and “a little reviving.” Christ becomes the true temple, and sin is nailed to the cross. The communion table therefore declares that sin is not in part but the whole, nailed to the tree, and borne no more.

Paul then asks the searching question from 1 Thessalonians 4:1: does life please God? The Christian life is a walk, lived moment by moment, which should abound more and more. Faith stands first, because without faith it is impossible to please God. Abel came by faith, while Cain merely brought an offering. Faith takes God at His word, trusting when God says trust, waiting when God says wait, forgiving when God says forgive, and going when God says go.

Obedience follows faith. Samuel’s word remains plain: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Noah obeys despite mockery, and Abraham obeys without being given the whole map. Obedience is not slavish performance intended to earn God’s love. Obedience is the glad response of those who already belong to Him by grace.

Surrender gives God more than a Sunday appearance. Romans calls believers living sacrifices, yet a living sacrifice can climb off the altar. God seeks the whole person: hands, eyes, mouth, mind, time, money, plans, fears, failures, and future. Enoch’s great testimony was not fame or achievement, but that he pleased God through a daily walk.

Praise also pleases God, especially when it costs. The sacrifice of praise rises when answers have not yet come, money is tight, suffering is near, and circumstances make little sense. Christ remains the perfect example, always doing those things that pleased the Father. The final question is not whether people approve, but whether life brings the smile of God.

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Key Takeaways

1. Faith comes before religious activity. Hebrews makes the matter unmistakable: without faith it is impossible to please God. Abel’s offering was accepted not merely because of what he brought, but because he came by faith. Religious habits, church attendance, giving, and Bible knowledge cannot replace a heart that truly trusts the Lord Jesus. [50:11]
2. Obedience is love put into action. Obedience does not purchase salvation or make God begin to love His children. Obedience grows from grace already received and from love for the One who has spoken. Noah and Abraham show that God often gives enough light for the next step, not the whole map for the journey. [56:18]
3. A living sacrifice must stay yielded. Romans 12 calls for the whole life to be placed before God, not merely a portion kept for religious occasions. The will, mind, affections, time, fears, and future can all become compartments that remain held back. Surrender asks a deeper question than what God wants done: does God truly have the person doing it? [63:23]
4. Praise God when praise costs. Praise becomes sacrifice when circumstances do not naturally produce songs. Gratitude in the waiting, in financial pressure, in sickness, and in confusion declares that God has not changed with changing circumstances. Such praise is not denial of pain but faith speaking above it. [74:39]
5. Seek God’s smile above human approval. Enoch’s testimony was simply that he pleased God, and that remains a far greater verdict than being admired, noticed, or thought successful. People-pleasing can quietly replace holiness when the fear of man governs decisions. The lasting question is whether Christ finds a life walking worthy unto all pleasing.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:16] - Holy, Holy, Holy
[12:35] - Nothing But the Blood
[16:41] - Ezra and the Rebuilding of God’s House
[22:27] - Foundations, Praise, and Weeping
[24:54] - Opposition Against the Building Work
[27:45] - God’s Decree and the Finished Temple
[33:43] - Ezra’s Confession and Grace
[37:01] - Communion and Sin Nailed to the Cross
[47:17] - Can Life Please God?
[49:45] - Believe God
[53:40] - Obey God
[61:39] - Give Yourself to God
[73:10] - Give God Praise
[77:03] - Pleasing God Because He First Loved Us
[79:57] - The Smile of God, Not Applause of Men

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:1
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” [49:33]

Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” [50:11]

Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” [01:03:23]

Hebrews 13:15-16
“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” [01:13:50]

Observation questions

In 1 Thessalonians 4:1, what words describe both the manner of Christian living and its direction for growth?
According to Hebrews 11:6, what two things must a person believe when drawing near to God? [50:49]
Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as a “living sacrifice.” What does the passage say makes this sacrifice acceptable to God? [01:02:25]
In Hebrews 13:15-16, what three offerings or actions are described as sacrifices pleasing to God? [01:13:35]

Interpretation questions

Why is faith necessary before religious activity can please God? How does Abel’s example help show the difference between bringing an offering and coming to God by faith? [52:03]
What does it mean for a believer to “abound more and more” in a walk that pleases God, rather than becoming stagnant or simply going through familiar routines? [49:15]
How does Romans 12:1 guard believers from thinking that surrender is only about attending church or giving God a small part of life? [01:02:50]
Why can praise be called a sacrifice when life is painful, confusing, or marked by waiting? What does such praise say about God? [01:14:56]

Application questions

Is there an area where God has called you to trust Him—perhaps in waiting, forgiving, giving, or taking a needed step—and you have been tempted to rely mainly on your own understanding? What would taking God at His word look like this week? [53:00]
What is one clear act of obedience you already know God has placed before you? Is there a “bigger” decision you may be waiting for while a simpler command is being ignored? [01:00:38]
A living sacrifice can climb off the altar. Which part of life is hardest for you to yield to God right now: your time, plans, fears, money, relationships, thoughts, or reputation? What would it look like to place that area back before Him each day? [01:03:30]
When you fail or fall into sin, are you more likely to hide, make excuses, or come honestly to God? What would humble confession and getting back up look like in a present struggle? [01:11:39]
Where are you most tempted to seek the approval of people instead of the smile of God—at work, in family relationships, online, or among friends? How could remembering God’s approval change one decision this week? [01:20:04]
What difficult circumstance currently makes praise feel costly? Name one specific mercy of God for which you can give thanks in the middle of that circumstance. [01:15:10]
Jesus has already loved His people, saved them by grace, and borne their sin at the cross. How does that truth change the motivation to obey, surrender, and praise? [01:17:38]

Sermon Clips

35s

#AllInForGod

“God doesn't just want your Sunday. He wants you. He wants all of you. Don't hold back. Be all in. Surrender pleases God. He wants you. He wants your hands. He wants your eyes. He wants your mouth. He wants your mind. He wants your time. He wants your money, your plans, your future. It's that living sacrifice. Make yourself available. Yield your whole life. Be wholehearted, not half hearted.”

57s

#PleasingGodNotPeople

“And one day, brothers and sisters, the opinions of people will mean nothing When all is said and done and your body's lying in a casket, the opinions of people are gonna mean nothing. Oh, I might upset someone if I tell them about Jesus. It's better that you tell them and they get offended at you than you not tell them. What God thinks of your life will matter forever. It's what God thinks of you that matters. Of course, we can make the mistake of being a people pleaser, pleasing people, pleasing our own flesh instead of pleasing our Lord. Rather, let's live for the smile of God that when we see his face, well done. I'm sure he'll be smiling when he says that. To you, well done, Well done. Well done. It's the smile of God, not the applause of men. So,”

46s

#TrustGodDaily

“When God says, trust me, do you? When God says, wait, do you? When God says, forgive, do you? When God says, give, do you? When God says, go, do you? Faith takes God at his word. Faith, believe God. And make it practical in your life to trust God with every day that he gives to you. Day by day, trust God, believe God. You do not have to understand everything. You simply have to believe the one who does. Believe God.”

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AM Service 30 Aug 26 | How Can I Please God in a Broken World? | Plus: Ezra's Building & Revival