Be Encouraged

 “Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts,” Haggai 2:4 ESV

“Yet now be strong… for I am with you,” was the Lord’s word of encouragement to Zerubbabel when facing unwelcoming and negative conditions. This occurred after returning from the Babylonian captivity in an effort to begin rebuilding the temple which was their house of worship. As a descendant of King David, he was eligible to reign as king and was a governor of a Persian Province yet he took on what seemed like an impossible task. “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it…” Zechariah 4:8-9 ESV.

Everyone needs to be encouraged because everyone deals with discouragement from time to time. We are encouraged by God’s Word, by one another and if necessary we are to encourage our self as King David when there was no one else to encourage him. “David was greatly distressed, for the people talked of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in spirit, each over his sons and daughters. But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6 MEV.

TODAY’S PRAYER 

 Lord, thank for the word of encouragement that confronts discouragement in our lives. Thank you for enabling us to overcome discouragement and disappointment and to live our lives to serve your purpose.

God Bless,

Pastor Matt