I AM WITH YOU

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

In the second year of King Darius, on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:

“Speak to Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 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 2:1-5

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

What words would you like to hear from the Lord, words that would encourage you no matter what life might bring your way?

I know what words came to mind for me and they’re found in today’s scripture passage from the opening verses of Haggai, chapter 2. Look again at those words here:

In the second year of King Darius, on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:

“Speak to Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 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 2:1-5

Did you catch the special words of the Lord to His people, words He speaks to us every day as well, words that provide comfort and reassurance in good times and bad?

“I am with you,” declares the Lord Almighty.

That’s it!

The Lord is with us and for us at all times. What an amazing encouragement that is! We are never walking alone, ever, for He is always there walking alongside.

For the Israelites under the leadership of Judah’s governor Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua, the task of rebuilding God’s temple had to be daunting. After all, the original temple had been leveled by the Babylonians and nothing remained except a heap of ruins. The people of God were literally starting from scratch and reconstructing God’s holy place of dwelling and worship from the ground up.

The Lord knew it wasn’t going to be easy. In fact, as we saw in chapter one, He knew His people were putting off the task at hand. But note that God spoke words of strength to the Israelites. Yes, the job needing done would be difficult and time consuming. Perhaps it looked like it was more than the people thought they could handle but God’s words had the focused intent of letting the Israelites know they weren’t acting alone by rather by the power of the Lord and the influence of His Spirit. There was no need to be afraid, no need to doubt, no need to experience worry or stress or anxiety for God was indeed with them and with Him, there was nothing they couldn’t do. Even rebuild a sacred temple in His honor.

Friends, today the Lord speaks these words into our lives and circumstances. Whatever you are facing, whatever you are dealing with, whatever life is bringing your way, God is reminding you:

“I am with you.”

This is the same God who has said that through Him, all things are possible. Indeed, He has performed more miracles than this devotion can contain, miracles that have affirmed His words of truth.

Nothing is impossible for the Lord and this is the Lord who is with us and for us.

So what exactly are we worried about? Why do we find ourselves shackled up from our fears and doubts? Why do we have such a hard time just letting go of the matters of life that weigh us down and laying them at the feet of the Lord who can do something about them?

In the end translation, we can only find peace and the confidence to forge ahead each and every day, no matter our circumstances, when we believe and trust that the Lord is with us, caring for us and always working things out for our good when we give Him our attention and devotion (Romans 8:28).

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark
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