Start Building…Again

The Israelites stopped building the Temple because their priorities were not God’s priorities.  They got in their own way.  So, God sent prophets to get them back on the right path.

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. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.' (Haggai 2:4-5 NLT)

God sends those who can help us get back on track as well.  God’s Son was sent to teach us and to bring us back to God.  God’s Spirit is sent to help us recognize God’s priorities, fight the real enemies, and give us the strength to do our part of God’s plan.  God sent us the Apostles and the Prophets to give us God’s Word for all of us.  God sends us one another, God’s Church, to encourage one another and build each other up.  We are not alone.

Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak responded by starting again to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them and helped them. (Ezra 5:2 NLT)

God gives us everything we need to heal, strengthen, and get back to work.  So, back to work we go.  It may feel like we are behind, that our part is not getting done fast enough, or that our part is not significant.  But it’s simply not true.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.. (Zechariah 4:10a NLT)

God’s got this.  God’s got you.  God is ready to move forward with you.

But Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues soon arrived in Jerusalem and asked, "Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure?" They also asked for the names of all the men working on the Temple. But because their God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building… (Ezra 5:3-5 NLT)

How about you?  Are you ready to move forward with God?  Are you ready to do your part of God’s Plan?  Are you ready to start building…again?