Have you thought things have gotten out of hand? Have you wondered if our world is going downhill so fast it can never recover? Does it seem as though the “good times” are so far behind us you can’t remember them? Have you begun to lose heart?
There is no doubt we are living in times of struggle. Yet, as the author of Ecclesiastes says, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). We may think our situation is unique or there has never been anything like this before. If so, we would be wrong.
It is true that we have more mechanical and technological things now than ever before. Yet, the ways of people are the same. The strong take advantage of the weak. The rich extort the poor. Those in power lord it over those who are not. It is nothing new. It has been going on for thousands of years.
Through the prophet Haggai, God asks if any of the Israelites remember his promise. He states that he is still with them. Though they may not have seen the glory of Israel under King David, God is still with them, and they are to work. He tells them they are not to fear.
We can take this same promise and admonishment. God is still with us. We are to work. What are we to work at? The things of God. We are to use the skills he has given us. We are to seek justice, love one another, show grace and mercy to others, care for the widows and orphans, and welcome those who are marginalized. These are the good works God has put before us.
I pray we all know that God is still with us. I pray we work at the good works he has set before us. I pray each one of us will seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and trust God will provide. God is still with us. Do the good works of God. Seek God’s guidance. Trust God will provide.
Haggai 2:3-5 “Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.”
Marty Pressey 