Be strong, for I am with you

Be strong, for I am with you

Scripture:- But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’ Haggai 2:4-5

“‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” Haggai 2:23

Observation: In the first Scripture today, we see the Lord encouraging the leaders of the remnant, Zerubbabel the Governor and Joshua the High Priest and the people themselves as they are about to start the work of rebuilding the temple. In the Lord’s words we learn 4 main things about how the Lord helps us when we undertake a work for Him.

Firstly, He calls us to be strong. Some have the mistaken idea that Christians should be doormats and let people slap them and step all over them. However, when we look at the example of our Lord Jesus, we see that He stood up to the Pharisees and voiced out what the elders were doing wrong. On two occasions, the Lord with great zeal drove out the moneychangers in the temple. When opposed by Elymas the sorcerer when he was trying to share with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, Paul, filled with the Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and rebuked him. God wants us to be strong.

Secondly, the Lord is with us. His Holy Spirit remains with us. Once we have invited our Lord Jesus to come in and become Lord of our lives, His Spirit lives in us, counseling us and giving us peace. Whatever we face in life, we can have confidence and hope, for God is with us to help us overcome all trials and difficulties.

Thirdly, the Lord calls us not to fear. He did not give us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. There are times in life when we face great difficulties or problems that may seem too great for us. Even in such times, remember that the Lord tells us “Do not fear”. We are to trust in Him who holds the universe in His hands.

In the second Scripture, speaking of the time when He shakes the earth and overthrows foreign kingdoms, the Lord promises to make Zerubbabel his signet ring. While Zerubbabel himself did not see this happen, we know that one of His descendants will. Zeubbabel son of Shealtiel is listed in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Himself in the gospel of Luke. On that day, our Lord Jesus will represent God in full power and glory when He comes back on the earth.

Application: Know that the Lord wants us to be strong, that He is always with us, and He calls us not to fear. Whatever we face in life, we can face in strength and boldness because we know that God is with us.

Prayer: Bless You O Lord for Your Word to us today. Help us be strong O Lord as we trust in You and bold for You did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Help us face all things with great courage, for our trust is in You and we know that You O Lord are for us. Strengthen us O Lord, and spur us on to do all You have set for us. In Jesus name, Amen.