2 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the Lord’s word came through Haggai the prophet: 2 Say to Judah’s governor Zerubbabel, Shealtiel’s son, and to the chief priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, and to the rest of the people:
3 Who among you is left who saw this house in its former glory?
How does it look to you now?
Doesn’t it appear as nothing to you?
4 So now, be strong, Zerubbabel, says the Lord.
Be strong, High Priest Joshua, Jehozadak’s son,
and be strong, all you people of the land, says the Lord.
Work, for I am with you, says the Lord of heavenly forces.
5 As with our agreement when you came out of Egypt,
my spirit stands in your midst.
Don’t fear.
6 This is what the Lord of heavenly forces says:
In just a little while, I will make the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land quake.
7 I will make all the nations quake.
The wealth of all the nations will come.
I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of heavenly forces.
8 The silver and the gold belong to me, says the Lord of heavenly forces.
9 This house will be more glorious than its predecessor, says the Lord of heavenly forces.
I will provide prosperity in this place, says the Lord of heavenly forces.
Reflection
The phrase that jumps out to me immediately as I reflect on “Courage” is “Be Strong!” (vs.2:4). Haggai is the tenth book in the minor prophets and isn’t preached on very often so I’m pleased to look more deeply into it for today’s devotional. Haggai’s prophetic words were given to the Judean community returning from the diaspora of Egypt, Babylon and elsewhere. Persia’s King Darius encouraged their return to Judah to rebuild their lives, including the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem. In Haggai vs.1:2 “These people say, ‘The time hasn’t come, the time to rebuild the Lord’s house.’” Haggai comes before them again and encourages them to rethink their lack of progress. He assures them that God is with them in this vital work. And he concludes with the promise that the Lord “will provide prosperity in this place.” (vs.2:9)
I vividly recall that “Be Strong” was a rallying cry in 2012 after Super Storm Sandy swept through the East Coast and devastated huge areas of the state. It rapidly transformed into JERSEY STRONG as the effort spread to rebuild New Jersey, especially along the Shore. We were living in Arizona at the time, and I was appointed as the Associate Pastor of Prescott UMC when I heard that rallying cry. Before moving to Arizona, our family had a fantastic home in Brick Township along Barnegat Bay, just a short trip across the Mantoloking Bridge to the Shore. It was the devastation of Sandy to the Shore that was largely responsible for our leap of faith to return to NJ, as well as my conversations with DS Varlyna Wright and Joe Monahan, which resulted in our return to NJ and my appointment at Medford UMC. I truly felt God’s voice in that time as clearly as the people did through the prophet Haggai. We didn’t rebuild the temple in Jerusalem but the MUMC congregation, with Pastor Joe and I, certainly felt
the Spirit encouraging us to build the long-awaited Family Life Center! Be strong, friends.
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
The United States was created as the “Diaspora” for everyone who courageously immigrated and settled here to make a better life for themselves. Finding our roots has become a huge interest throughout the United States. In our country, everyone other than the Native Americans has migrated here from some other country. Our ancestors brought their foods, their skills and all the unique God-given gifts they had to make our country richer. What do you know about your roots? What gifts have you received from your ancestors? What are you thankful for as you think about your lineage?
Prayer: God of every nation, help us to recognize the many gifts our ancestors and all
immigrants share with our country to make it prosper. We are thankful for the unique
skills and talents that each individual offers for the benefit of themselves and others.
May our citizens learn to appreciate the gifts of others and welcome the stranger as
Jesus calls us to do. Amen.