Zerubbabel asked, “What do I do now that I have survived exile in Babylon?” He thought he would never see his homeland again. But there he was, back in his home, Israel – living in stagnancy. God had poignant words for him. I will just quote it: “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; … and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes …Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house, and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified …” – Haggai 1:4-8.
You Survived
Maybe you thought you wouldn’t survive the loss of a job, yet it’s been over a year since you were laid off, and you are still standing. Or perhaps a loved one walked out of your life; and it felt as though you could not breathe, but here you are 2 years later – you survived. You didn’t expect to last this long. You are not running yet, just limping, but on your feet just the same. Your confidence, badly shaken, is now being restored, yet you are somewhat afraid to start again. You don’t know if you still have it in you. What do you do now that you’ve survived?
What to Do?
Here is God’s word for you today:
Be strong. Invest in yourself through the reading of books, so you don’t lose your confidence. Now that you’ve survived, find the Lord’s work to undertake, no matter how mundane, or how overwhelming, so you don’t lose your utility. Start a business, apply for a job, occupy, all for the glory of the Lord. God is with you, and that makes the difference. Do you recall the covenant you made with God while you wallowed in the doldrums? He is still holding up His part of the bargain even if it does not look like it. Fear not. If God be God, then your best is yet to come.
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace … – Haggai 2:9