Yet Now Be Strong

“Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:3-9

The Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, and poured themselves into settling in, planting their land and building their personal homes. But much of their effort was fruitless. The Lord called them to consider their ways, and the condition of His ruined house, and rebuild for Him. Though they were stirred in Spirit, rebuilding the temple to its former glory became overwhelming. The prophet’s word to them was to set aside focusing on themselves, trusting their own strength, fainting in the work because it seemed impossible, languishing in the past and memories of former glory and what-ifs, and immerse themselves presently in the Lord. This was their job, and His work. He was their sufficiency and would be their success. If they kept on for Him they would see Him glorified. (Haggai 1:2-14)

The size and difficulty of any task can render it challenging, frustrating, and sometimes too much to handle. Reviving or remaking something that was lost can drain us of enthusiasm when vision is swallowed by what we think was the greater grandeur of what has passed. Misplaced priorities and misdirected effort can leave us feeling fruitless, that all our work is a waste of time.

Yet, when the Lord issues any call, He has already prepared for its doing and completing. He presents us with opportunity to take on fresh vitality, a vision for His plan, and to rely on His abiding, enabling, inspiring Spirit in the process. He empowers us by that Spirit to imagination, energy, and zeal that bring Him glory. (Isaiah 43:19; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Where am I stuck in the past, in resisting change that naturally occurs, or in preference over a new but necessary service or task God has asked me to do? Where am I flagging in the Lord’s kingdom work due to tired vision, apathy, or fear of the unknown? How willing am I to step in and press on, even when I cannot see results or may never enjoy the finished product? No matter my feelings of resistance or dismay, would I set them aside to trust God’s strength tand bring Him the glory He deserves? (Philippians 3:13-14; Revelation 3:2)

My Lord and Master, keep me awake and strong to attend with rigor and to complete the works You have for me.