Day 254

Ezra 5:2; Haggai 2:1-23; Zechariah 1:1-5:11. “Ghosts of the Past”

         I don’t know what it is about human nature that makes us nostalgic.  I have observed that in just about every area of life, there is something about ‘how it used to be’ that we view as better.  And as we read in Haggai, this can be a discouragement to us in the present.
         As the people began to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, they soon realized that it would not be nearly as impressive as the temple Solomon built.  Instead of disregarding that fact, the Lord acknowledged it (Hag. 2:2-3) and then encouraged the people to press on in spite of that fact (2:4-5).  His message was, that regardless of how less impressive a building it was, the people were to continue on in the building of it.
         No matter what task God has given you to do, whether it is business, ministry, family, whatever it is, you are to take courage and do it regardless of how much better or more successful the past may have been.
         May you take courage and fulfill your tasks, knowing that God is with you.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?