Still in the Land

 “Take courage, all you people still left in the land, says the LORD. Take courage and work, for I am with you, says the LORD Almighty.” Haggai 4:2

Right out of the gate my new Bible Study, Take Courage by Jennifer Rothschild exhorts us to reach into the deepest parts of our disappointments, and grab hold of the invitation of courage that the Lord extends to each of us. This invitation to be bold and work at the point where He finds us…our land…our life…our situation is the overarching theme of the book of Haggai. The refugees have returned to their land which was previously burned out and destroyed by the enemy. For a year they worked hard to rebuild but then turned their attention to their own self-interest and lost the heart for rebuilding what God had called them to restore.

I believe each of us can relate to being a refugee to our home as 7 months later we still must isolate… must cover our faces…must be cautious in every decision we make. But like Haggai reminds the people, God is reminding me this morning that we are ‘still in the land.’ There is great work to do and He invites us to take the courage we may not have…His courage…and get to work doing the things of God. He is exalting the urgency of rebuilding His priorities over my priorities. It takes courage to go through tough times no matter who we are and what we are facing. Taking courage is a daily invitation from God and our decision to accept it every single day. The Word of the Lord is clear… ‘take courage…and work…for I am with you.’ Jennifer eloquently beckons us to receive the courage God desires to give each of us. We can take courage from His presence, His promise and His people. Our courage is not an empty hope, but a robust determination in the Lord to do everything He calls us to do.

‘God gives us courage liberally. If your fatigue feels so much greater than your faith, the Word of the Lord will encourage you to not quit because you build far more than you see. No matter what you fear or what you face, the Word of the Lord says we can take His courage to rebuild what is broken. And ultimately if we feel discouraged and don’t feel courageous the Word of the Lord invites us to take His courage because He is with us always.’ Take Courage, p. 7

What area of life do you most need God’s courage? Rebuilding of health? Rebuilding of family? Rebuilding of marriage? Rebuilding of vocation? No matter what fear you are facing, God will give you the courage to shake foundations and move mountains. Just take Him up on His word and walk in boldness and belief!