September 11

But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts. — Hag 2:4 BSB

There are many times in most people’s lives when this simple lesson can be inspiring and helpful. We are called to do some work for God, and our strength seems totally inadequate. We look at the small beginning or the difficult circumstances and think we can never accomplish the task or achieve the expected result. Nearly all beginnings of good things are small. The Christian church started with just two followers. Every missionary effort has begun with an unpromising start.

This is also true in our personal lives. We often feel that with our limited strength, we will never achieve anything meaningful. But God’s Word declares, “Be strong, and work; for I am with you.” God never assigns us a task without also providing His presence and strength, so we don’t need to fail in it. If we lose heart and let our hands remain idle, nothing will come of the small beginning, and God’s purpose may fail in our hands due to our lack of effort. But if we fulfill our duty wholeheartedly, the end will bring blessing and success.