The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Take Courage!" for Saturday, 16 September 2017 - Read Haggai 1:7-9; 2:4-5

The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Take Courage!" for Saturday, 16 September 2017 - Read Haggai 1:7-9; 2:4-5
-------

Haggai 1:7 “Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot says: ‘Think about your life! 8 Go up into the hills, get wood, and rebuild the house. I will be pleased with that, and then I will be glorified,’ says Adonai. 9 ‘You looked for much, but it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?’ asks Adonai-Tzva’ot. ‘Because my house lies in ruins, while every one of you runs to take care of his own house., 2:4 Nevertheless, Z’rubavel, take courage now,” says Adonai; “and take courage, Y’hoshua the son of Y’hotzadak, the cohen hagadol; and take courage, all you people of the land,” says Adonai; “and get to work! For I am with you,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 5 “This is in keeping with the word that I promised in a covenant with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit remains with you, so don’t be afraid!”

-------

Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27 (NIV))
Twenty years after I had written my last term paper, I sat looking at a blank sheet of paper and wondered, Am I too old to be in graduate school? Can I really do this? Then I remembered my strong conviction that God had led me to take this class. Deep in my soul, I knew that God would give me the strength and ability to complete this assignment, just as God had given the Israelites the courage and strength to rebuild the temple in Judah. My part was to trust God, take a deep breath of courage, and begin the work.
One word led to another, sentences to paragraphs, and paragraphs to pages. When I completed the assignment, I gave thanks and credit to God. I completed that class, and then many more. Years later, with deep gratitude, I walked across a stage to accept my theological degree.
Whenever God asks us to do something that seems insurmountable, we can take a deep breath of courage, trust God, and begin to work. God will help us to complete whatever we have been called to do.
The Author: Linda A. Goulooze (Arizona, USA)
Thought for the Day: I can courageously do the work God has called me to do.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to listen to you and your call to serve in your kingdom. Give us courage and strength to complete these tasks for your glory. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone returning to school
-------