Be Strong

 

Throughout the Bible God’s people are challenged to be strong, to be courageous. These are good words for the current time.  I have been reading in the Old Testament and in the little book of Haggai we find both admonition and encouragement.

“Be strong all you people of the land, declares the Lord, and work. For I am with you declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:4). In verse 5 God declares, “My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear.”

When Moses was turning over the reins of leadership to Joshua he challenged him, “Be strong and courageous…” (Joshua 1:6)  King David told the next king, Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.” (1 Chronicles 22:13) 

And in the New Testament the the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “Be Strong…" (1 Corinthians 16:13). To the Galatians he said, “Keep standing firm.” (Galatians 5:1) 

Fear is holding a lot of people in its grip these days.

• Fear of THE Virus …
• Fear of schools re-opening (or not reopening)…
• Fear of upcoming election results…
• Fear of the riots and destruction happening in major cities all across America right now…
• Fear of all the recent changes that have been happening…
• Fear of economic collapse…
• Fear of ...

We can take comfort in remembering that God’s Spirit is in our midst even now.  He indwells His people. And He does not forsake His own. (Hebrews 13:5)
Even in fearful times we do not have to be afraid.
In chapter 2 Haggai instructs the people of Judah three times to “take courage.”
HE (God) is with us.

The Prophet Malachi remind us of this about God:
He is the Lord of Hosts (Malachi 1:10)
He is a Great King (Malachi 1:14)
He does not change (Malachi 3:6)
His Name will be great among the nations. (Malachi 1:11)
 
Dr Michael Youssef wrote in his August magazine, My Journal, “This global pandemic is God’s call for His children to look up, not back…Let’s use this time and these trials to deepen our faith,
store up treasure in heaven,

and proclaim His good news until the day He comes again.”

Let’s do that!
And let’s look up, take courage, and do the work.
 
Be Strong,
Ruth