Courage For 2022
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. Haggai 2 : 4 (NASB)
As we come to the end of our Christmas celebrations and look forward to the advent of a new year, we are probably a bit nervous as to what 2022 holds in stock for us. After all we have seen and encountered in 2020 with the pandemic and social unrest, not forgetting our own personal trials watching the clock ticking tentatively is understandable. But I was encouraged as I read this verse in yesterday’s devotions.
It reminded me of the exhortations found in Joshua to “be strong and courageous. “Indeed, this exhortation is found thirteen times in the scriptures. David advises his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28: 20 to “be strong and courageous” as he built the temple of God. In the verse before us today the temple has been rebuilt but the builders are despondent that it is not as splendid as the former temple build by Solomon. But through the prophet God encourages the people three times to “take courage” – He is with them! Their concern was for the physical splendor of the temple, but the future presence of the Messiah would enrich it with Heavenly Splendor beyond earthly value.
Dear reader, as we look towards a new year in 2021, we need not worry but instead “take courage” for He is with us. For some of us our youth is in the past, our bodies may be failing us daily but let us “take courage” our earthly temple is blessed by His presence. Through Him we are more than conquerors in 2021! (Romans 8: 37)
Alan Kearns is a Christian father and grandfather from Scotland. He was raised in the mining villages of Fife and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1984. A major influence that leads Alan to Jesus was his Christian mum, grandparents and an aunt. Alan writes regular devotionals in his blog Devotional Treasures
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