You have probably seen some motivational posters that have become quite popular. Most are a photograph followed by an inspirational saying underneath the picture. Some of you probably have them hanging in your workplace. I came across a new product line that shows the warped nature of my humor – a company making now famous “de-motivational posters”. I’d like to share a few of those “de-motivational posters” with you as we start today. There is actually a company called "Despair, Inc."! Look at these:
• Economics: The science of explaining tomorrow why the predictions you made yesterday didn’t come true today!
• Government: If you think the problems we create are bad, just wait until you see our solutions!
• Mistakes: "It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others."
• Doubt: "In the battle between you and the world, bet on the world. "
• Humiliation: "The harder you try, the dumber you look."
• Losing: "If at first you don’t succeed, it could be that losing is just your style."
• Despair: "It’s always darkest just before it goes pitch dark."
• Tradition: “Just because you have always done it that way doesn’t mean that it isn’t incredibly stupid!”
• Adversity: “That which does not kill me postpones the inevitable!”
• One of my favorites is a lovely picture of the majestic salmon jumping high in the air to pass over a water fall – mightily moving upstream against the current. The salmon doesn’t know it, but a bear awaits with mouth open at the top of the falls. The caption reads “Ambition – the journey of a thousand miles can still end very badly!”
We laugh at these because when we take an inventory of our lives - we all know what discouragement feels like. For some of us, we spend more time discouraged than encouraged. These sayings remind us that you can’t be optimistic all the time - not if you are connected to real life.
Fortunately, the Bible isn't full of "pie in the sky" optimism. It is a raw look at reality - a physical blip amid the eternal existence. I am created by a personal Creator for a specific purpose, and most of it will not really become clear until I see Him face to face. At the same time, I can walk with purpose and encouragement - if I learn to se life as He says it truly is.
Key Principle: I will only be able to truly walk in courage and persistence if I learn to see the world through the eyes of the Truth God has revealed.
Set in the end of the hot and dry summer of ancient Israel, the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles was now upon the people of God, and the country smelled of wine in the morning dew. The grape harvest was meager that year, and the celebration of the harvest (Lev. 23:34-43) was not as extensive as they hoped for. There was, however, among some of the returnees the memory of the dedication of the Temple of Solomon at this time of year (1 Kings 8:2). For a people called to rebuild that Temple, they could surely stand on the edge of excitement as the building was being readied for completion. The truth is, most were not excited - they were discouraged. How did that happen?
2:1 "On the twenty-first of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet saying, 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people saying, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?"
We are not a good judge of what God is doing through our obedience. We have poor and often exaggerated memories of the past, selective focus in the present, and utter blindness to the future. If you look closely at the verse above, three problems can be observed:
A Presumption Problem: (“Who is left among you?” 2:3a). Note the people that were left were specifically cited as the problem (comparing this building to the one destroyed 66 years before): The longer we have walked with God, the more we feel we are entitled to see our expectations become reality. We prayed a long time, now we expect and anticipate HOW God will answer. The work almost imperceptibly slips from that which to glorify God alone to that which should also please us - it is a mistake that must be drawn away from!
We try to satisfy ourselves that we are working for God and self at the same time. It is not that walking with God has no benefits – it is that these must not be foremost in our lives. Until we decide to draw each breath and commit each step to His glory, we do it for ourselves. It is our old nature poking through the garment of righteousness. Until we come into agreement with God about the purpose of our lives – for HIS GLORY - nothing can be done; remember the African proverb, “The man who tries to walk two roads, splits his pants.”
A Reputation Problem: (“How do you see it now?” 2:3b). Note the people saw the BUILDING in glory based on its physical characteristics as they recalled them. Some had seen the Temple of Solomon, and all had seen the impressive architecture fo the pagan world of Babylon. They were concerned that the work did not reflect the majesty of God in the physical presentation. Was it for God's reputation only they felt this? Could it be that some of the beauty of the former Temple satisifed their need for a reputation? How many people have spent hours sharing the Lord in a visitation program that was as much about growing their church and validating themselves as sharing from a broken heart for a lost person. We often do even what we do for the Lord with some personal motives that are about our reputation - and not solely His honor and glory. We want to be validated in God's moves among men.
Behavioral scientists relate that we often notice things that we have been conditioned to see. This has been dubbed the "Reticular Activating System." At any point in which a product or thing has been brought specifically to our attention, we have been prepared to focus on it. It wmay seem to us that we will begin to see it virtually everywhere we go. For example, if you decide to purchase a specific brand of automobile with a certain body style, color, and features – it will suddenly seem as though you will notice that model everywhere you go. Advertisements in newspapers, TV and magazines will “stick out” with that model. What happened? The ads were always there, but your “Reticular Activating System” focused on them and suddenly pointed them out everywhere. When we develop a sensitive system to see how everything makes US look, we fail to see the truth. My life is FOR HIS GLORY and not my own.
A Value System Problem: (“Does it seem like nothing in comparison?” 2:3b). What makes something valuable? God's measure of significance is not our measure. Silver and gold are not more precious to one that can make any of them by the Word of His mouth. Note the phrase "seem to YOU like nothing": The word nothing is "ke•'a•yin" and is used in the ancient Hebrew language to denote something that is beyond counting, unsearchable, unfathomable. In this case the prophet carries God's question, "Do you see this as having NO VALUE?" The issue was not only the comparison, but the utter dismissal of the work of the hands of the younger men that put together the new facility. They saw no value in it, and couldn't discern how this could honor God. They could not see the rejoicing hearts of the young who had no expectation beyond the fulfillment of the promise to rebuild.It is obedience and reverence adoration that God cherishes, not wood beams inlaid with gold. It is not the work of your hands God glories as much as the warmth of your heart ablaze for time with Him. That beautiful Temple of 66 years before, though materially superior, was a Temple full of people that were self willed, and God took it down!
During the 1960’s, Clerow Wilson Jr., simply called “Flip Wilson” was an African American comedian that became a regular at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and was a favorite guest on The Tonight Show, Laugh-In, and The Ed Sullivan Show. By 1970, Wilson got his own television program, “The Flip Wilson Show” on NBC. He hosted the young “Jackson Five” and performed in comedy sketches. His characters included Reverend Leroy, pastor of the Church of What’s Happening Now; and his most popular character, Geraldine, whose line “The devil made me do it” became a national expression. Dressed up as Geraldine, he would say, "Honey, what you see is what you get!" It was funny, but seldom true. We aren’t trained in the world of the flesh to see things as the Lord sees them. We don’t see what is, because our value system isn’t what God’s is!
2. Looking within and seeing insufficiency: The people feared their efforts would be insufficient to accomplish the great things for God they intended and dreamed of (Haggai 2:4a). We do not have within the ability to accomplish the Lord's call. If we did, we wouldn't need His strength and constant renewal. His strength is made perfect in the tears we shed over our own sense of weakness!
2:4 "‘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."
The term "take courage" in 2:4 (khaw-zak') is a word sometimes translated to "adopt" or "firmly grasp". It is not something CREATED, it is something one grabs onto that is already provided to create stability. They could not accomplish what they set out to do on their own strength, and in their own merit. God calls us to do what we cannot do without Him! Note the progression of the verse:
• First, the High Priest (not the civil authority) needed to reach out and firmly grasp the truth of the need for the stability and strength that God provided for the men.
• Second, taking the cue from the leader among the men of God, the civil authority was to depend upon God's stabilizing power and provision.
• Finally, ALL the people of the land were to grasp the stability. Discouragement spreads like a cancer, and trust and encouragement must be individually grasped to combat it. The leaders alone cannot turn the situation around.
Many years ago an 8-year-old boy named Glenn and his 10 year old brother Floyd decided to pour kerosene in the pot bellied stove in their very cold schoolhouse. What they poured was not kerosene, but gasoline, and the stove violently exploded. Floyd died instantly and Glenn was left badly burned legs. He had lost all the flesh on his knees and shins and all the toes on his left foot. Also, his transverse arch was practically destroyed. Doctors told his parents that they must amputate his legs right away or his whole body could become infected. The parents said, "Let’s wait a day." The next day the doctors said, "His legs must be amputated." The parents said, "Let’s wait another day." This went on for several weeks, until finally the doctors discovered that the legs were healing, but that the left leg would be 2 1/2 inches shorter than the right leg. The doctors said, "He will keep his legs, but he’ll never be able to walk." However, his great determination, coupled with the hours of massages given him by his parents, enabled him to gradually regain the ability to walk and to eventually proceed to run. It was in the early summer of 1919 when he first tried to walk again, roughly two years after the accident. He had a positive attitude and a strong faith. He shared Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Within a few weeks the boy was standing up & hobbling around on crutches. The doctors changed their prediction. "Well, he may be able to walk, but he will never be able to walk without crutches." But within a few more weeks he was walking without crutches. So they said, "Well, he may be able to walk without crutches, but he’ll never be able to run." But then he broke into a wobbly jog & soon he was running. That boy was Glenn Cunningham, who won gold medals & set world records in track, & in his day was called, "The fastest human being on two feet." Cunningham set a world record for the mile and indoor world records for the 1.500 meters and the mile. He was on the 1932 and 1936 Olympic teams. He had a park named after him in his hometown of Elkhart, Kansas. One Pastor noted, "With God everybody has that kind of potential. God can even take crippled bodies, discouraged spirits, and shattered lives, and through them He can change the world. So how does it look to you when you look in the mirror? What do you see?" Hope comes from the character, power and sufficiency of God and not in the sum of all that I can produce or become on my own. Yet, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!" (Phil. 4:13).
3. Looking around at the nations about them: They were embarrassed at the size and wealth of the nations about them and their own weakness and meager abilities (Haggai 2:7a). We are not in competition with others, we are in a terrible wrestling match to submit ourselves wholly to our Master!
The problem of keeping up with the Jones is that they are just as unhappy as we are. They are as afraid of you keeping up as you are of falling behind. We are not in competition with the world. Our perspective has everything to do with our own happiness and contentment. The simplest things can settle us if we can see beyond the surface:
Do you recall playing out back of the house with rolls that came from within the wrapping paper as great swords? Do you remember when a box could be pushed around the floor as a race car? Do you recall when a few blankets over a gap in the beds was a fort that could hold off the Indians?
“A nurse who used to work with young children in the pediatric ward of a hospital said, "When I worked in the pediatric ward, before I listened to the little ones’ chests, I would plug the stethoscope into their ears & let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe. "But I never got a response to equal 4-year-old David’s. I gently tucked the stethoscope in his ears & placed the disk over his heart. `Listen,’ I said. `What do you suppose that is?’ "He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line & looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap-tap-tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin. `Is that Jesus knocking?’ he asked." Somewhere, maybe in Sunday School, David had heard that scripture where Jesus is standing at the door of our hearts, knocking & asking for admission.” (Melvin Newland, sermon central illustrations).
1. Instead of looking around - Look to Me: Take heart that the Lord was present, and His opinion was the one that counted! (Haggai 2:4b-5).
2:4 “‘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!’”
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from Heaven above. With Wisdom. Power and Love, our God is an awesome God! Listen to His Words today:
• To the refugees of Egypt, surrounded by a dry deserted landscape devoid of people, buildings, trees and even the vast water resources of the Nile, nor of the might of the Egyptian army to protect them for the first time in ten generations - God called out to His people: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
• On they traveled for forty years. Attacked and victorious, thirsty and yet cared for, they made there way to the Promised Land of their fathers. They knew God guided them, but they had the security fo seeing the elderly figure of Moses – for He was their representative. He spoke to God face to face, and to him the Law was given. Yet, the day came when God took Moses away, and the towering figure fo Hebrew history was a memory. God called on their new leader Joshua to look up: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. Through the waters of the Jordan God led them.
• Joshua saw the power of God, as did Gideon, Samson, Elijah before hundreds of pagan pseudo prophets, and David amid vastly superior armies. King Asa saw God turn back hoards of Ethiopian soldiers and claimed God’s mighty promise: “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” 1 Chronicles 22:13
We can have confidence when we see Jesus. His power is unbounded and His promises true. His presence is all we need. We need no bread, for He is the bread of life. We need no light, for He is the light of the world. We need no other substance more than a simple submission to His will.
• Early believers often needed to hear what we need yet today: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened." Take Courage!” 1 Peter 3:14 and the words shared by Paul: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
• For through the ages the Word calls out this assurance: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10.
We will never shake discouragement when we look to ourselves. We simply cannot do it. God promised His PRESENCE, HIS POWER and HIS PROMISES to keep us where we need to be. There is no well of encouragement so deep as this one. Look to HIM!
2. Instead of looking back - Look forward: God was going to work in a little while, but He would initiate the work in His good time (Haggai 2:6).
2:6 “For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.”
Things will not remain as they are. No matter what the problem you face, it is temporary. A day is coming, bound in the promises of the mighty God of the universe… It is a day when God will wipe every tear from every eye that submitted to Him and put their trust in Him. Cancer will touch us no longer. Sin and its ravaging effects will fade to nothing in the rebellious heart. All will see Him. Every knee will bow. Keep your eyes on the skies for your redemption draws near. No pain, no sorrow, no loss, no shame will permeate that final day. It is HIS DAY. We must look forward and understand that the days of hardship are few compared to the days of His glory. The days of pain are fleeting compared to the time of His loving arms wrapped about us. I have read the end of the scroll – it is a great and powerful ending by a Mighty God!
3. Instead of looking with embarrassment - Look with confidence: I own all that is necessary to please Me. I can and will provide what you need to accomplish My work. You must set every other view aside, for I have a plan that will change everything! (Haggai 2:7-9) The future is bright because God is the author of the end of the plan. It does not mean there is no trouble ahead - it simply means that His glory will stand through the ages.
7 ‘I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. 8 ‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the LORD of hosts. 9 ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ declares the LORD of hosts.”
• No nation is secure whose God is not the Lord.
• No nation is wealthy who puts its trust in material wealth.
• There is no silver He does not own.
• There is no Gold that He did not create.
• All that has value, had it because He gives it such.
• Our future is in His hands, and He has made an unshakeable promise to complete the work He had begun in me. I belong to Him. He Created me, then bought me back when I strayed into slavery. He did it for His glory.
When I see things as they truly are – the way HE says they are - I am able to truly walk in courage and persistence – and it is ALL WORTH IT FOR HIM!
• Economics: The science of explaining tomorrow why the predictions you made yesterday didn’t come true today!
• Government: If you think the problems we create are bad, just wait until you see our solutions!
• Mistakes: "It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others."
• Doubt: "In the battle between you and the world, bet on the world. "
• Humiliation: "The harder you try, the dumber you look."
• Losing: "If at first you don’t succeed, it could be that losing is just your style."
• Despair: "It’s always darkest just before it goes pitch dark."
• Tradition: “Just because you have always done it that way doesn’t mean that it isn’t incredibly stupid!”
• Adversity: “That which does not kill me postpones the inevitable!”
• One of my favorites is a lovely picture of the majestic salmon jumping high in the air to pass over a water fall – mightily moving upstream against the current. The salmon doesn’t know it, but a bear awaits with mouth open at the top of the falls. The caption reads “Ambition – the journey of a thousand miles can still end very badly!”
We laugh at these because when we take an inventory of our lives - we all know what discouragement feels like. For some of us, we spend more time discouraged than encouraged. These sayings remind us that you can’t be optimistic all the time - not if you are connected to real life.
Fortunately, the Bible isn't full of "pie in the sky" optimism. It is a raw look at reality - a physical blip amid the eternal existence. I am created by a personal Creator for a specific purpose, and most of it will not really become clear until I see Him face to face. At the same time, I can walk with purpose and encouragement - if I learn to se life as He says it truly is.
Key Principle: I will only be able to truly walk in courage and persistence if I learn to see the world through the eyes of the Truth God has revealed.
Set in the end of the hot and dry summer of ancient Israel, the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles was now upon the people of God, and the country smelled of wine in the morning dew. The grape harvest was meager that year, and the celebration of the harvest (Lev. 23:34-43) was not as extensive as they hoped for. There was, however, among some of the returnees the memory of the dedication of the Temple of Solomon at this time of year (1 Kings 8:2). For a people called to rebuild that Temple, they could surely stand on the edge of excitement as the building was being readied for completion. The truth is, most were not excited - they were discouraged. How did that happen?
Three mistakes led the people to become discouraged and disheartened, though they were acting in obedience and building the Second Temple:
1. Looking back in comparison: Some of the people compared the current work to a former time when God seemed to be working in a more powerful way (Haggai 2:1-3).2:1 "On the twenty-first of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet saying, 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people saying, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?"
We are not a good judge of what God is doing through our obedience. We have poor and often exaggerated memories of the past, selective focus in the present, and utter blindness to the future. If you look closely at the verse above, three problems can be observed:
A Presumption Problem: (“Who is left among you?” 2:3a). Note the people that were left were specifically cited as the problem (comparing this building to the one destroyed 66 years before): The longer we have walked with God, the more we feel we are entitled to see our expectations become reality. We prayed a long time, now we expect and anticipate HOW God will answer. The work almost imperceptibly slips from that which to glorify God alone to that which should also please us - it is a mistake that must be drawn away from!
We try to satisfy ourselves that we are working for God and self at the same time. It is not that walking with God has no benefits – it is that these must not be foremost in our lives. Until we decide to draw each breath and commit each step to His glory, we do it for ourselves. It is our old nature poking through the garment of righteousness. Until we come into agreement with God about the purpose of our lives – for HIS GLORY - nothing can be done; remember the African proverb, “The man who tries to walk two roads, splits his pants.”
A Reputation Problem: (“How do you see it now?” 2:3b). Note the people saw the BUILDING in glory based on its physical characteristics as they recalled them. Some had seen the Temple of Solomon, and all had seen the impressive architecture fo the pagan world of Babylon. They were concerned that the work did not reflect the majesty of God in the physical presentation. Was it for God's reputation only they felt this? Could it be that some of the beauty of the former Temple satisifed their need for a reputation? How many people have spent hours sharing the Lord in a visitation program that was as much about growing their church and validating themselves as sharing from a broken heart for a lost person. We often do even what we do for the Lord with some personal motives that are about our reputation - and not solely His honor and glory. We want to be validated in God's moves among men.
Behavioral scientists relate that we often notice things that we have been conditioned to see. This has been dubbed the "Reticular Activating System." At any point in which a product or thing has been brought specifically to our attention, we have been prepared to focus on it. It wmay seem to us that we will begin to see it virtually everywhere we go. For example, if you decide to purchase a specific brand of automobile with a certain body style, color, and features – it will suddenly seem as though you will notice that model everywhere you go. Advertisements in newspapers, TV and magazines will “stick out” with that model. What happened? The ads were always there, but your “Reticular Activating System” focused on them and suddenly pointed them out everywhere. When we develop a sensitive system to see how everything makes US look, we fail to see the truth. My life is FOR HIS GLORY and not my own.
A Value System Problem: (“Does it seem like nothing in comparison?” 2:3b). What makes something valuable? God's measure of significance is not our measure. Silver and gold are not more precious to one that can make any of them by the Word of His mouth. Note the phrase "seem to YOU like nothing": The word nothing is "ke•'a•yin" and is used in the ancient Hebrew language to denote something that is beyond counting, unsearchable, unfathomable. In this case the prophet carries God's question, "Do you see this as having NO VALUE?" The issue was not only the comparison, but the utter dismissal of the work of the hands of the younger men that put together the new facility. They saw no value in it, and couldn't discern how this could honor God. They could not see the rejoicing hearts of the young who had no expectation beyond the fulfillment of the promise to rebuild.It is obedience and reverence adoration that God cherishes, not wood beams inlaid with gold. It is not the work of your hands God glories as much as the warmth of your heart ablaze for time with Him. That beautiful Temple of 66 years before, though materially superior, was a Temple full of people that were self willed, and God took it down!
During the 1960’s, Clerow Wilson Jr., simply called “Flip Wilson” was an African American comedian that became a regular at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and was a favorite guest on The Tonight Show, Laugh-In, and The Ed Sullivan Show. By 1970, Wilson got his own television program, “The Flip Wilson Show” on NBC. He hosted the young “Jackson Five” and performed in comedy sketches. His characters included Reverend Leroy, pastor of the Church of What’s Happening Now; and his most popular character, Geraldine, whose line “The devil made me do it” became a national expression. Dressed up as Geraldine, he would say, "Honey, what you see is what you get!" It was funny, but seldom true. We aren’t trained in the world of the flesh to see things as the Lord sees them. We don’t see what is, because our value system isn’t what God’s is!
2. Looking within and seeing insufficiency: The people feared their efforts would be insufficient to accomplish the great things for God they intended and dreamed of (Haggai 2:4a). We do not have within the ability to accomplish the Lord's call. If we did, we wouldn't need His strength and constant renewal. His strength is made perfect in the tears we shed over our own sense of weakness!
2:4 "‘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."
The term "take courage" in 2:4 (khaw-zak') is a word sometimes translated to "adopt" or "firmly grasp". It is not something CREATED, it is something one grabs onto that is already provided to create stability. They could not accomplish what they set out to do on their own strength, and in their own merit. God calls us to do what we cannot do without Him! Note the progression of the verse:
• First, the High Priest (not the civil authority) needed to reach out and firmly grasp the truth of the need for the stability and strength that God provided for the men.
• Second, taking the cue from the leader among the men of God, the civil authority was to depend upon God's stabilizing power and provision.
• Finally, ALL the people of the land were to grasp the stability. Discouragement spreads like a cancer, and trust and encouragement must be individually grasped to combat it. The leaders alone cannot turn the situation around.
Many years ago an 8-year-old boy named Glenn and his 10 year old brother Floyd decided to pour kerosene in the pot bellied stove in their very cold schoolhouse. What they poured was not kerosene, but gasoline, and the stove violently exploded. Floyd died instantly and Glenn was left badly burned legs. He had lost all the flesh on his knees and shins and all the toes on his left foot. Also, his transverse arch was practically destroyed. Doctors told his parents that they must amputate his legs right away or his whole body could become infected. The parents said, "Let’s wait a day." The next day the doctors said, "His legs must be amputated." The parents said, "Let’s wait another day." This went on for several weeks, until finally the doctors discovered that the legs were healing, but that the left leg would be 2 1/2 inches shorter than the right leg. The doctors said, "He will keep his legs, but he’ll never be able to walk." However, his great determination, coupled with the hours of massages given him by his parents, enabled him to gradually regain the ability to walk and to eventually proceed to run. It was in the early summer of 1919 when he first tried to walk again, roughly two years after the accident. He had a positive attitude and a strong faith. He shared Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Within a few weeks the boy was standing up & hobbling around on crutches. The doctors changed their prediction. "Well, he may be able to walk, but he will never be able to walk without crutches." But within a few more weeks he was walking without crutches. So they said, "Well, he may be able to walk without crutches, but he’ll never be able to run." But then he broke into a wobbly jog & soon he was running. That boy was Glenn Cunningham, who won gold medals & set world records in track, & in his day was called, "The fastest human being on two feet." Cunningham set a world record for the mile and indoor world records for the 1.500 meters and the mile. He was on the 1932 and 1936 Olympic teams. He had a park named after him in his hometown of Elkhart, Kansas. One Pastor noted, "With God everybody has that kind of potential. God can even take crippled bodies, discouraged spirits, and shattered lives, and through them He can change the world. So how does it look to you when you look in the mirror? What do you see?" Hope comes from the character, power and sufficiency of God and not in the sum of all that I can produce or become on my own. Yet, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!" (Phil. 4:13).
3. Looking around at the nations about them: They were embarrassed at the size and wealth of the nations about them and their own weakness and meager abilities (Haggai 2:7a). We are not in competition with others, we are in a terrible wrestling match to submit ourselves wholly to our Master!
The problem of keeping up with the Jones is that they are just as unhappy as we are. They are as afraid of you keeping up as you are of falling behind. We are not in competition with the world. Our perspective has everything to do with our own happiness and contentment. The simplest things can settle us if we can see beyond the surface:
Do you recall playing out back of the house with rolls that came from within the wrapping paper as great swords? Do you remember when a box could be pushed around the floor as a race car? Do you recall when a few blankets over a gap in the beds was a fort that could hold off the Indians?
“A nurse who used to work with young children in the pediatric ward of a hospital said, "When I worked in the pediatric ward, before I listened to the little ones’ chests, I would plug the stethoscope into their ears & let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe. "But I never got a response to equal 4-year-old David’s. I gently tucked the stethoscope in his ears & placed the disk over his heart. `Listen,’ I said. `What do you suppose that is?’ "He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line & looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap-tap-tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin. `Is that Jesus knocking?’ he asked." Somewhere, maybe in Sunday School, David had heard that scripture where Jesus is standing at the door of our hearts, knocking & asking for admission.” (Melvin Newland, sermon central illustrations).
Time for a Big Change - Three Steps Back to Encouragement
How do I focus anew to ward off the creeping discouragement that dishonors God and amasses discontentment in my heart? God's prescription for their discouragement was a complete change of focus. They were to:1. Instead of looking around - Look to Me: Take heart that the Lord was present, and His opinion was the one that counted! (Haggai 2:4b-5).
2:4 “‘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!’”
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from Heaven above. With Wisdom. Power and Love, our God is an awesome God! Listen to His Words today:
• To the refugees of Egypt, surrounded by a dry deserted landscape devoid of people, buildings, trees and even the vast water resources of the Nile, nor of the might of the Egyptian army to protect them for the first time in ten generations - God called out to His people: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
• On they traveled for forty years. Attacked and victorious, thirsty and yet cared for, they made there way to the Promised Land of their fathers. They knew God guided them, but they had the security fo seeing the elderly figure of Moses – for He was their representative. He spoke to God face to face, and to him the Law was given. Yet, the day came when God took Moses away, and the towering figure fo Hebrew history was a memory. God called on their new leader Joshua to look up: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. Through the waters of the Jordan God led them.
• Joshua saw the power of God, as did Gideon, Samson, Elijah before hundreds of pagan pseudo prophets, and David amid vastly superior armies. King Asa saw God turn back hoards of Ethiopian soldiers and claimed God’s mighty promise: “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” 1 Chronicles 22:13
• Drifting away from the Lord, the ten tribes of the north abided nineteen evil kings in succession, and finally God was finished tolerating their sin. Sargon II moved into northern Israel for more than ten years, taking city after city. With his son Sennacherib, the people of Judah became terrified. They saw their faithless cousins led away in chains and worse. The situation looked hopeless, and God’s prophet stood before them and called out, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
How could He ask for such courage? Because He offered the strength to get them through IF THEY WOULD LOOK TO HIM AND NOT TO THEMSELVES!
• Jesus came to be our Savior. His Disciples traveled with Him, but were sent ahead to the other side. Jesus saw them in the midst of the storm and knew that if they could see Him, they would regain composure. He came out upon the water to them and the Word records: “Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, Mark 6:51We can have confidence when we see Jesus. His power is unbounded and His promises true. His presence is all we need. We need no bread, for He is the bread of life. We need no light, for He is the light of the world. We need no other substance more than a simple submission to His will.
• Early believers often needed to hear what we need yet today: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened." Take Courage!” 1 Peter 3:14 and the words shared by Paul: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
• For through the ages the Word calls out this assurance: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10.
We will never shake discouragement when we look to ourselves. We simply cannot do it. God promised His PRESENCE, HIS POWER and HIS PROMISES to keep us where we need to be. There is no well of encouragement so deep as this one. Look to HIM!
2. Instead of looking back - Look forward: God was going to work in a little while, but He would initiate the work in His good time (Haggai 2:6).
2:6 “For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.”
Things will not remain as they are. No matter what the problem you face, it is temporary. A day is coming, bound in the promises of the mighty God of the universe… It is a day when God will wipe every tear from every eye that submitted to Him and put their trust in Him. Cancer will touch us no longer. Sin and its ravaging effects will fade to nothing in the rebellious heart. All will see Him. Every knee will bow. Keep your eyes on the skies for your redemption draws near. No pain, no sorrow, no loss, no shame will permeate that final day. It is HIS DAY. We must look forward and understand that the days of hardship are few compared to the days of His glory. The days of pain are fleeting compared to the time of His loving arms wrapped about us. I have read the end of the scroll – it is a great and powerful ending by a Mighty God!
3. Instead of looking with embarrassment - Look with confidence: I own all that is necessary to please Me. I can and will provide what you need to accomplish My work. You must set every other view aside, for I have a plan that will change everything! (Haggai 2:7-9) The future is bright because God is the author of the end of the plan. It does not mean there is no trouble ahead - it simply means that His glory will stand through the ages.
7 ‘I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. 8 ‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the LORD of hosts. 9 ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ declares the LORD of hosts.”
• No nation is secure whose God is not the Lord.
• No nation is wealthy who puts its trust in material wealth.
• There is no silver He does not own.
• There is no Gold that He did not create.
• All that has value, had it because He gives it such.
• Our future is in His hands, and He has made an unshakeable promise to complete the work He had begun in me. I belong to Him. He Created me, then bought me back when I strayed into slavery. He did it for His glory.
When I see things as they truly are – the way HE says they are - I am able to truly walk in courage and persistence – and it is ALL WORTH IT FOR HIM!
(*Photo at top from marcofolio.net top 40)
Comments