God spoke to Haggai (read Haggai 2:3-5) the prophet and told him to speak to Zerubbabel the govenor, to Joshua the high priest, and to the residue of the people and ask who was left that could remember the former glorious temple of Solomon and to compare it with the new temple that was being built. They esteemed it very inferior because of outward differences. They said it was as if it were nothing in comparison. Sometimes we see the smallness and ineffectiveness of our work for the Lord and we become very discouraged. Many of the most successful undertakings for the Lord have been small and despised, and struggled for a long time with great difficulties. But as in Haggai’s day if God has clearly commanded it, we must go courageously forward, with the steadfast promise that He will be with us, as He has been with his people from the beginning, and give us whatever grace and help we need. You see, God had a different opinion. God wanted them to realize the greatest strength is not in outward trappings. It is not in expensive ornaments. It is not in the shock and awe. It is being strengthened by His Spirit – “Be strong. Be strong. Be strong.” It is in obedience to His Word – “and work.” It is by faith in his promises – “I am with you.” When we get back to this kind of foundation for our lives we will be able to courageously continue the Lord’s work with His blessing. Be careful not to give up on God before you realize that His ways are higher than ours and that He works not by our human power and might but by His Spirit. Be careful not to lean to your own understanding but upon His and no matter how things look to you or others, what is important is how it looks to God. He is after all, keeping all the records.
