Get to Work

My spirit was moved upon reading this verse:

“But now the Lord says, Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 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.” - Haggai 2:4 NLT

This was the time when the Lord instructed Israel’s remnants to rebuild His Temple. At first it seemed that they were reluctant in doing so, as we refer to Haggai 1:2, saying that it is not yet time to rebuild the Lord’s House. As they were finally obeying the Lord and starting the construction, the Lord again spoke, saying that the New Temple seemed like nothing at all (Hag. 2:3) compared to its former grandeur.

But  things got exciting when after the Lord encouraged Zerubbael, the Governor of Judah, and Jeshua the son of the High Priest, God disclosed His plans for the New Temple:

“For this is what the LORD Almighty says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth. I will shake the oceans and the dry land, too. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the LORD Almighty. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD Almighty. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD Almighty. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!” – Haggai 2:6-9

God was planning to gather the treasures of the nations to the New Temple! God was planning to fill the place with His glory, even greater than its former glory! Moreover, the New Temple will be filled with peace, meaning, Israel will no longer engage in war and experience its dreadful aftermath. Wow!

But of course, we already know that. We, Christians, have been quoting these verses, declaring it, prophesying it, speaking it to happen to our Local Churches. But what caught my attention this time was verse 4 of Chapter 2. God was encouraging the leaders of Israel. God was saying, even if they still cannot see what is ahead (even the greater things ahead), they must not be discouraged!

BE STRONG, God says to the Government.

BE STRONG, God says to the Believers.

And what shall we do with the strength? God says, GET TO WORK! BUILD MY CHURCH!

I am currently the Media Director for a pioneering Local Church in the Philippines, and to tell you the truth, it is not an easy ride for me, to keep moving forward, towards the greater glory God has planned for our Church. I believe in my heart that the things I see today (borrowed equipment, hand-me-down instruments and chairs and supplies) will be replaced by the future glory God has promised. But once I prayed to God, while waiting for it, what Word shall I keep in my heart so I will not give in to discouragement?

It was Haggai 2:4.

The things I see today may be nothing compared to the things I enjoyed and experienced from my former ministry, but God is now encouraging me: BE STRONG, SHEL. GET TO WORK AND BUILD MY CHURCH. Support and love your Pastor, support his vision, help him build My Church. I have given you enough talent and skill to accomplish many things; to be your Pastor’s extra hands, feet,  and mind. Get to work and build My Church, so in due time I will gather the treasures of the nations that is meant for this Church. I will bring greater glory and peace like you have never seen nor heard before.

And that, my friends, changed the way I see the things of today. I thank God for always keeping me, hiding me, comforting me, understanding me, lahat-lahat na! I know that as I continue to follow Him, He will sustain me with encouragement and strength. I will be forever grateful for that.

Get to work!

Love, Ate Shel