READ: Haggai 2 (Focus vs. 1-19)
MEMORY VERSE
“My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” Haggai 2:5
BACKGROUND
At least he passed, Jess thought, holding the test paper. He’d been helping his son with math, but with house chores and extra work from his boss lately, studying together had been tough.
Discouraged, Jess thought of his wife, who’d passed away: Lisa, you’d know what to do. I’m not as good a keeper of the home as you were.
On a bigger scale, such discouragement may well have been what Zerubbabel felt. The governor of Judah had been called by God to lead the Israelites in rebuilding the temple after captivity in Babylon.
When they’d laid the foundation, “many . . . who had seen the former temple, wept aloud” (Ezra 3:12). The memory of Solomon’s glorious temple lingered again now, as construction of a smaller structure resumed.
Ours isn’t as good, everyone, including Zerubbabel, must’ve thought.
“But now be strong, Zerubbabel,” God said, as He did to all involved: “I am with you . . . my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear” (Haggai 2:4-5).
Zerubbabel could take heart in God’s guiding presence, bound by His covenant with them (v. 5). Also, “The glory of this present house will be greater,” God said (v. 9), pointing to when Jesus Himself would visit the temple (John 2:13-25).
We may feel discouraged in a task God calls us to do, comparing our results with those of another season. Let’s focus on His plan for this season, because the work and its purpose are His, not our own.
Karen Huang
INSIGHT
Centuries before Joshua the son of Jehozadak heard the command to “be strong” (Haggai 2:4), Joshua the son of Nun heard similar words when tasked with taking God’s people into the promised land (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18).
Though Moses was dead (vv. 1-2), God was alive and present. He declared, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (v. 9).
People change and assignments change. But God’s plan and purpose for us doesn’t. When we’re discouraged, focusing on this truth can strengthen and embolden us for the tasks at hand.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
What task has God given you? How can You focus on Him while carrying it out?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“We may feel discouraged in a task God calls us to do, comparing our results with those of another season. Let’s focus on His plan for this season, because the work and its purpose are His, not our own.”
PR’s TAKE
“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].” 1 Corinthians 15:58
“…If God be for us who can be against us….” Romans 8:31
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me as I embrace the task You’ve called me to do.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“DON’T GIVE UP ON GOD” Wilson Galiguis
Jesus said peace I leave with you
In every trial and in every misery
Jesus Christ is our victory
In the midst of our enemy
Don’t give up as I won’t give up
Give it up to the high above
Don’t give up, Don’t give up
If you wanna live a winning life
Watch and pray to keep your victory
There’s no other way than Jesus Christ
Who gave himself for our victory
Don’t give up as I won’t give up
Give it up to the high above
Don’t give up, Don’t give up
Don’t give up on God
Don’t give up on God
But trust in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, oooh
Don’t givе up on God
Don’t give up on God
Just trust in the name of thе Lord Jesus Christ, oooh
Don’t give up on God
Don’t give up on God
Don’t give up, don’t give up
