Devotions this week based on The Prophets Week 10 – Haggai (WATCH HERE)
“‘Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you… My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’” — Haggai 2:4–5
Ministry can be discouraging. Some seasons it seems like you work to reach people disconnected from Jesus, encourage and strengthen those that are attending, utilize the gifts God has given to the people and still people leave, membership declines, and the work seems in vain.
Often ministry is started with great enthusiasm and optimism. But that can fade as the weeks turn into months of no seeming return. To be sure I have had my seasons of great optimism only to be challenged by the value of going on, as it just didn’t seem worth it.
I wasn’t the first. You wouldn’t be the first.
About a month after they resumed building, the people began to feel discouraged. The new Temple was nothing like Solomon’s magnificent structure. Those old enough to remember the former glory wept (Ezra 3:12). The footprint was smaller, the artwork paled to the former, the grandeur was a small percentage.
Ask them, (Haggai 2:3) ‘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?”
Yes. It seems like nothing compared to the house of the Lord in its former glory. The LORD acknowledges it, but doesn’t disparage it. Rather he encourages it!
God’s encouragement through Haggai was clear: “Be strong and work, for I am with you.”
The Lord reassured them with three truths:
- His Presence — “I am with you.”
- His Spirit — “My Spirit remains among you.”
- His Promise — “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”
The people didn’t know what the Lord had in mind. The glory of this temple would be greater than the glory of the former house. Wait? How? How could Solomon’s temple, a wonder of the ancient world, pale in comparison to this attempt at a temple? Solomon’s temple would never host the coming of Christ! The baby Jesus would one day enter that very Temple (Luke 2:27–32). The physical structure may have seemed small, but it would host the very presence of the Messiah.
What a great reminder to any of us who are doing the work of the Lord and it seems small and unimpressive. God says, “You see rubble; I see future glory.” He encourages us to stay strong. Continue the work.
The result? God’s Word is proclaimed and lives are transformed, His glory fills the room.
Apply: When the work feels slow or unimpressive, remember: God values faithfulness more than flashiness. His Spirit empowers where our strength ends. His future glory redeems today’s ordinary obedience. Keep building — your effort is not wasted.
Prayer: Lord, when I grow weary or discouraged, remind me that You are with me and Your Spirit empowers me. Use even my small acts of obedience to bring You lasting glory. Amen.