Solomon built a temple. It was glorious. Check out the article Laced with Grace, to read more about the glittery golden palace.

After Solomon’s reign, there were other kings who as according to the Bible, “Did evil in the sight of the Lord.” So much so that the temple was destroyed. But before its destruction 2 Chronicles 36:7 tells us that, “Nebuchadnezzar also brought some of the articles of the house (temple) of the Lord to Babylon and put them in his temple there.”

So God gives instructions to Solomon for this spectacular temple for His Presence to dwell. The people become evil and hardened to His instructions and the city is captured, goods are stolen, the temple and the city walls are burned to the ground.

This does not sound like a victory story. But it is. Later in 2 Chronicles, God appointed a new King to rebuild His dwelling place.

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” – 2Chronicles 36:23(AMP)

When Solomon first constructed the temple, David, his father, had already set aside all the materials needed. King Cyrus didn’t have this luxury. But thankfully, God is a God of plans.

“Also King Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem [when he captured that city] and had put in the house of his gods.” – Ezra 1:7(AMP)

The same articles that were captured, were the exact articles that restored the temple.

God used what was taken to replace, rebuild, and restore what had been destroyed.

He was reserving gifts for the restoration.

God had not lost what was taken. God did not loose sight of the blessing- on the contrary, He was using the capture as storage.

What if the things in your life that you feel like have been stolen are the same things God wants to use to restore you?

God can take the areas of your life that feel like you’ve been robbed, and use it for your restoration, for your come back, for your rebuilding.

God isn’t caught off guard, God isn’t neglecting your prayers. God takes set backs and turns them into set ups. God takes what the enemy meant for evil and works it out for your good.

Be Blessed!