Zerubbabel started out well. He’d led a group of Jews returning to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity. His mission was to rebuild the destroyed temple.
He had the credentials; a descendent of King David [1] and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. [2] But there were difficulties. Zerubbabel, along with the rest of the people, got side tracked from building God’s house while they built houses for themselves. Work on the temple slowed to a standstill for a number of years. [3]
Part of the problem was the opposition Zerubbabel faced from the Samaritans, who wrote slanderous letters to the Persian kings and hired counselors to intimidate and frustrate the workers. [4]
Zerubbabel and the Jews were discouraged. Amidst todays social and political unrest, as well as as economic instability, many of us can relate.
So what turned the tide? Four years later we read about a joyous dedication of the temple: And the sons of Israel, the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy (Ezra 6:16 NASB).
Along the way, discouragement was replaced by courage to accomplish what God was calling them to do.
That kind of courage would serve us well today.
What was the recipe for the courage which turned the whole affair around?
Turning the Tide from Discouragement to Courage.
A Call to Obedience
First, the Jews had to change their behavior. This was prompted by a call to obedience from the prophet Haggai: Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways! 8 Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?” declares the Lord of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house … (Haggai 1:7-9 NASB)
This rebuke from God was a call to stop focusing on their paneled houses and complete the job of rebuilding the house of the Lord, which remained in desolate ruins. [5]
God’s word was heeded and the Jews obeyed. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people showed reverence for the Lord (Haggai 1:12).
Obedience is always the first step.
A Call to Courage
Then the Lord told the people, “I am with you.” Hearing this, the spirits of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people were stirred up. They pushed past the apathy and opposition and resumed work on the house of God. [6]
Then came the call to courage. But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of hosts. 5 ‘As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!’ (Haggai 2:4-5).
The promise of God’s presence stirred up the spirits of the Jews and gave them great courage.
God’s presence turned the tide and mustered the hearts of His people to accomplish what He desired.
But it’s not just a one time reminder. We need to continually realize God’s nearness, especially when facing our own challenges. This awareness of His presence changes everything.
Rebuilding the temple was never easy. Zerubbabel the the Jews needed to constantly know they weren’t alone as they went about God’s business.
How about us?
Paneled Houses
Like Zerubbabel and the Jews, are we focused on our concerns while God’s work is being neglected? What are our paneled houses?
It’s a great question to ask. God was not condemning the Jews for having nice houses. The problem was their focus. Their desires had taken the place of what God desired.
What’s our focus? Are we consumed with our “needs” above God’s business? God tells us that if we focus on His kingdom, not our own, He’ll take care of what we need.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 NASB).
“Aim at Heaven and you get Earth ‘thrown in’: aim at Earth and you will get neither.” (A Joyful Christian C.S. Lewis)
God is With us
As we endeavor upon what God is calling us to do, we’re never alone. The things God asks us to do, and to endure, are often extremely difficult. In our work for God, our weaknesses are exposed.
This a good thing. We sometimes face what we might call God sized problems – tasks which are impossible to accomplish without God working through us.
In our weaknesses, God is strong. [7]
As God’s children, we’ve been given His Spirit, which Paul calls the Holy Spirit of promise, [8] to indwell us.
The Holy Spirit, the promised presence of God, is to guide and empower us and give us courage for whatever we face. Right this moment, God’s Spirit indwells His children. Though we may not feel His nearness, He never leaves us.
Whatever our circumstances, we can embrace God’s presence. When we do, courage rises.
Prayer
Lord, what great encouragement You’ve given us with the story of Zerubbabel and the rest of the Jews. Though they were discouraged and distracted, they obeyed You. They drew great courage from their belief in Your nearness and from Your powerful presence. Thank you.
Today, You are as close as breath to us, Your children. You are with me right this moment, indwelling me, empowering me, guiding me, comforting me and loving me. Thank you!
Please help me abide in Your nearness and live my life in utter dependence upon You. Apart from You I can do nothing of eternal worth. I want to be about Your kingdom and Your business.
Please show me quickly when I focus on my own paneled houses and neglect what You desire for my life.
I love you.
Amen
Journal Time
With your journal in hand, spend time thinking about things of this world which tend to consume your focus. Ask God to bring clarity and write down your own “paneled houses”. Ask Him to show you what business of His you might be neglecting, like Zerubbabel and the Jews leaving God’s temple in ruins.
Based on what you believe He is telling you, write a prayer of repentance and obedience, asking Him to guide and empower you by His presence.
Thank Him for giving up His life up to save you and giving you His Holy Spirit to be your constant Helper. Thank Him for the Joy of His presence and the courage He gives you by His nearness.
Come back to this journal entry often.
[1] I Chronicles 3:16-19
[2] Matthew 1:12-13
[3] Haggai 1:1-4
[4] Ezra 4:1-24
[5] Haggai 1:4
[6] Haggai 1:13-14
[7] 2nd Corinthians 12:9-10
[8] Ephesians 1:13
Other Posts in our Rhythms of Joy Series:
Joy is important because it’s an experience of God
The amazing connection between grace and joy
Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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