God’s Spirit Is With Us

My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.

Haggai 2:5

HAGGAI IS ONE of the shortest books in the Bible. The book was an announcement to the Israelites that it was time to rebuild the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem.

God knew this was not going to be a particularly easy job for the Israelites. After all, the former glorious Temple had been in ruins for quite some time, and there were enemies all around. The Israelites were weak from being disciplined, and they had meager resources. Some would have serious doubts that a splendid Temple could be rebuilt in their lifetimes.

God gives us challenging tasks to do, just as he did with the Israelites. They may seem completely out of our reach. Some of us may just give up, thinking the job is impossible or we don’t have the needed skills.

But no job is impossible when God tells us it’s part of his plan and it’s time to do it. Yes, it may be difficult, and God may be the first to acknowledge that! But just as he promised to be with the Israelites when they left Egypt and when they were called to rebuild the Temple, he is with us in life’s tough assignments. His Spirit empowers us with his wisdom and perseverance.

We can complete any task God calls us to because he’s always there—to protect, equip, and sustain us.