MONDAY June 20, 2022
Be Strong, I Am With You!
“ ‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ 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 of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ ”
Haggai 2:4-5
God challenged the leaders and people to “be strong!” Even though they were very discouraged, He wanted to encourage them. All they needed to do was repent, get right with Him, and start working! They had been given a great privilege––to build His house. They were not to stay discouraged, but to get up and go forward! Nor did He want them to be fearful of their enemies, God’s Spirit was in the midst of them.
God is the only one who can encourage people when they are really down. There are times where couples are discouraged about their marriage, or a person is disillusioned about their job. Discouraged individuals sometimes feel they need counseling, but through prayer and fellowship with the Lord, their lives can be touched in such a miraculous way. After He speaks to their hearts, their countenance changes; they have received all the encouragement and all the strength they will ever need.
Life can be discouraging at times, especially in the work in the ministry, but God’s encouragement helps us to go forward. Life is hard, but knowing God is with us in our trials helps. We can trust Him; He loves us. As God is omnipresent, we can fellowship with Him anytime. Even though He allows us to go through difficulties, He can help make us strong––not in ourselves––but our strength comes from Him.
If you have fallen into sin, you should not stay down, but repent and get back up. If that is you, let nothing discourage you, make you afraid, or take you down a path of depression. God is with you! You do not have to be afraid of what other people may say. You are God’s treasure, and the Spirit of the Lord has revived you. He is in your heart.
The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them also, and bear them up forever.
~Psalm 28:8-9~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
