In the book of Ezra, the Israelites returned from exile with a daunting task ahead of them—rebuilding the temple and eventually the protective wall around Jerusalem. Here we see that the construction of the temple is allowed and completed, but the wall around the city is delayed. Why was the temple prioritized over the wall, even though the wall provided safety and security?

The temple represented God’s presence among His people. It was the heart of their worship, their relationship with Him, and their identity as His chosen people. Before anything else, their spiritual foundation needed to be restored. The wall, while important, symbolized physical protection, something secondary to their need to reconnect with God. By allowing the temple to be built first, God was teaching them—and us—a vital truth: put Him first, and everything else will follow.

Jesus echoes this principle in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” When our priority is God—His presence, His will, His purposes—He takes care of everything else. If the thing you want isn’t God, but something else like success, security, or even a breakthrough in a tough situation, you’re likely focusing on the wrong thing. Instead of chasing after those desires, we are called to chase after God. He is the one who sees our needs, and when our hearts are aligned with Him, He will ensure that we receive what we need.

The Israelites may have wanted the wall for protection, but what they truly needed first was God’s presence. Once the temple was built, once their hearts were restored to Him, the wall came later. And it wasn’t just a wall of stone; it represented God’s surrounding protection for His people.

This principle applies to us today. If the thing you’re seeking isn’t God Himself, pause and refocus your pursuit. Make Him your priority, and trust that He will take care of the rest in His perfect timing. If we make God our ultimate desire, He will add everything else we need—provision, protection, and even the desires of our heart that align with His will.