“BE STRONG AND WORK ALL PEOPLE, FOR GOD IS WITH YOU.”

Haggai 2:4

TEXT: HAGGAI 2:1-23

1. BACKGROUND

The book of Haggai was written by Prophet Haggai. He prosephied during the time of King Darius. earlier on in 586 BC the people of Judah had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebucahadnezzar and Jerusalem and the Temple had been destroyed. The Jews in exiles had been allowed to return to Judah and rebuild  their temple in 538 BC by King Cyrus of Persia who had conquered Babylon.

The people returned to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the Temple, but they had not finished. Haggai's message encouraged the people to finish rebuilding God's Temple.

2. BE STRONG AND WORK Haggai 2:4

THE LORD of Host call to us is to be strong and work. Jesus said my father is working still.God love people who are always active, always working.God hate lazy people.The parable of talents in Matthews 25:14-30 given by Jesus illustrates this very clearly. The lazy and wicked servant who hid his masters talent in that got a very strong rebuke. " So take his talent from him and give it bto him who has thye ten talents. For everyone who has will more be given and he will have abundance, but he who has not , even what he has will be taken away from him. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness., there men will weep and gnash their teeth."

God want us to use the talents he has given us well. Working had to multiply what we are given each according to his ability. In the face of all the challenges we must be strong and take courage and work day and night. Then at the coming of the master we can be sure to be commended, "Well done , wise and faithful servant you have been faitfful over a little I will set you over much, enter into the joy of your master."

3. FOR I AM WITH YOU  Haggai 2:4b

The assurance of God presence is agreat blessing. When God tell us to work for I am with you," this give us courage and strength to redouble our efforts. Even when we face challenges, diffuculties ,trials and frustrations the fact that God is always close with us enable us never to look back or give up. we press on towards the goal knowing that our victory is assured. Whether we are working to improve our lives, families, communities, church or Nation the task can be hard and difficult but we draw our strength from God. The assurance of God with us is reinforced by Jesus Christ  in the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:16-20. Christ commanded us to Go and  work for him making all nations his  disciples. Chrst sated that, " Lo, I am with you to the close of the age." Thus , God's presence with us is for all times. Emmanuel, God with us. The Son given to us. The wonderful Counsellor, Migthy God, Everlasting father, Prince of Peace, who has come to bring us back to God. ( Isaiah 9:6)

4. MY SPIRIT ABIDES AMONG YOU  Haggai 2:5

God does not only assures us of His presence with us as we work for Him, but He promises that His Spirit will abide among us. The Holy Spirit is available to care and guide us. Jesus Christ similiarly repeated the same promise in Acts 1:8. " But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria and to thye end of the earth."

As Dr Bruce Barton observes, power from the Holy Spirit is not limited to strength beyond the ordinary- that power also involves courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability, and authority. The Christians need all thses gifts to fulfil their mission. If you believe in Jesus you can experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

5. FOR I HAVE CHOSEN YOU   Haggai 2:23b

You did not choose yourself. It is God who has chosen you and appointed you. In John 15:16, Christ says that the reason for this special appointment is that we may go and bear fruit and that our fruit should abide. The knowledge that God has chosen us from so many give us courage to move out like Haggai and obey His Word and serve Him. This truth must make us see our values in God's eyes and motivate us to work hard for him. Whenever you feel down frustrated and discouraged remind yourself, "God has chosen me."

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