Yet now be strong, says the Lord; and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and be strong, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work; for I am with you, says the Lord. Haggai 2:4
Work is something that most people have to do on a regular basis. In order to work, it often takes strength. People often get worn out from having to work. Others get weary because they do not want to work, but rather desire to relax and play and never work.
Haggai records God telling Zerubbabel, Joshua the high priest, and the people of the land to be strong and work because He is with them. They were being told to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem.
As people work, they often need strength. Sometimes it is physical strength, while other times it is mental strength. Often it is a combination of both. In order to get the strength needed, many turn to coffee or something else to boost their energy to keep going. Others just quit.
God will give believers a job to do that is sometimes overwhelming. It takes boldness and strength to do the job God has for each person.
Unlike the world, the believer does not always need physical strength to do the job. There is a battle for the soul of the believer and those around the believer. It is a spiritual battle that requires spiritual strength to win.
The good news is that God is with the believer. It is God who gives the believer strength to do what needs to be done. When Jesus left the earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to be with each and every believer, to give direction, comfort, and strength as needed each and every time.
God may never ask you to rebuild a wall or city as He had asked Zerubbabel, but He does have work for you to do. The work that needs to be done may appear like a tremendous task that requires much strength to accomplish. Put your trust in God. He will be with you as you carry out His commands. The Holy Spirit will give you the strength you need to finish the work God has called you to do.
So, each day be strong and work the task God has given you to do because God is with you and will never leave you, nor forsake you.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the work God has called you to do; that you will find strength in the Lord to do the work and that you will know God’s presence each day; and that you will complete the job God has given you.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
