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Zechariah 8:9-13 Let your hands be strong - Day 355

Good afternoon fellow saints,

Well I am 10 days behind on devotionals as today is the last day of this year's challenge.  I plan to take a short break before beginning another trip through the Bible.  I will finish up writing devotionals so that when any future readers get here they may see that just as the plan started with 4 beginnings (creation, return of exiles, the first advent of Christ, the start of the church) it also has 4 endings (going into exile, end of God speaking to Israel and Judah, the end of the age and the end of the gospels).

I am planning on doing a read through with the small group we will be leading starting some time in September.

Blessings,

Jeff

Let your hands be strong... that the temple might be built.  The fact that the exiles (remnant) need to be encouraged to build the temple implies that they have become slothful in the task they had been given.  Ezra and Nehemiah tell of the various challenges that discouraged the people. 

Makes me reflect on the balance between God working in us and the need for perseverance on our part.  Whatever task God gives to His people, He also gives strength to perform it.  Yet the people physically do the task.  God tests our faith to approve us, not to make us fall.  For example, He puts us in situations to mortify the flesh, and we are called to put to death the deeds of the body.  We would not put the deeds to death on our own.

The blessings promised in 11-13 seem to be dependent on the remnant's obedience to the call to be strong and build.  If they remain slothful like the "people of the former days", God will not treat them any differently.

This passage also reminds me of Ephesians 2:20-22 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.  I think our hands need to be strong as the Spirit does His work in us as described here.  If we excuse ourselves because it is not easy to be built into a dwell place for God, we are doubting that God can accomplish what He has promised.

So Fear not, but let your hands be strong.

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