“Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid” (Haggai 2:4-5 NLT).

BE STRONG. GET TO WORK. DON’T BE AFRAID.

The Lord gave the prophet Haggai three instructions for the Israelites who had returned from Babylonian captivity. These instructions were to be strong in the Lord, get to work on rebuilding the Temple and don’t be afraid. The Lord had Haggai address this instruction to two Hebrew men specifically and to the Israelites at large.

Zerubbabel and Joshua were the two he named specifically. Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin, penultimate king of Judah. He led the first group of captives back to Jerusalem. He and Joshua, the high priest, led the people to rebuild the temple, but the people had been putting their own households first. After rebuilding the foundation years earlier, the temple still lay in ruins. The people had not finished what they had begun. They had become busy with their own homes, putting their own house ahead of the Lord’s.

Perhaps they felt they didn’t have the money or the expertise. Perhaps they feared falling short of the “glory” of Solomon’s Temple (Hag. 2:3). Perhaps they feared the people in the land around them. Whatever their reasons, they had stopped working. So, God gave them three instructions: Be strong. Do the work. Do not fear. And He gave them one powerful promise: “I am with you.”

He still makes this promise to us today. As the angel told Mary, “Do not fear. The Lord is with you. For nothing is impossible with God!” (Luke 1:28-37).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that we often feel weak and afraid. We stay busy, but often not doing the work You have given us to do. Help us to be strong in You, knowing that You are always with us. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit today. In Jesus’ name, amen.