SUNDAY, JANUARY 22
Scripture: Haggai 2:4-5

Haggai got to encourage the different levels of society because they were building something that had an eternal impact on the nations. Verses 4-5 state, “‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’” What an awesome season to encourage people as they were embarking on something that was to make a major, major difference. And that seems similar to what we are facing today. We are facing the greatest climactic event in the history of Christianity – the harvest of the nations. And yet, many of us cannot seem to be victorious over our own desires. It appears that we find ourselves in an age that has already been warned of in Revelation 3 called the Laodicean era. This era is one where the prosperity of the nation is such that many of us can satisfy their flesh with nearly everything they need. And that makes an environment that seems to lack compelling reasons to keep working on what is eternal. Haggai had a tough message and so do we. But look at the season – it was much better than what the majority of the prophets had to deal with. I believe there are kingdoms for us to subdue because the saving of souls and the harvest of nations is the most vital purpose in Scripture and we are called to participate. It is certainly our season to rise up and be volunteers in the day of His power with everything God wants to do. (Psalm 110)