How did the people [start building the temple]? How did they do it, especially against such great odds, adversities, and adversaries? Well, first and foremost—and I think we can take this to heart in our own lives personally and also in our church—they had the right goal. What was the goal? The glory of God. This is what God wanted. It was God's desire that it be built, and so all they did was come in line with God's desire. They were not creating a goal on their own, they were simply submitting to the great King's goal. And God will do all his will. The goal is that God's glory would be revealed. What was the motivation that moved them to disobey [King Cyrus] at first? It was faith. True faith motivated them. They believed God's promises. They believed God's Word and they believed that God would provide the resources, which was needed. The Holy Spirit stirred them and they moved out in faith. In disobedience to the civil magistrate, but in faith and obedience to God. And they were directed according to God's Word. God's work done for God's glory according to God's will, will succeed even when it seems impossible.1
Michael Voytek
1 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.