These Are The Most Reassuring Words

Haggai 2:4-5
(4) But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. (5) ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

To reassure is to speak words that remove fear and doubt. We need reassurance when the experience is new and uncertain. We need reassurance when the stakes are high and anxiety is strongly rising. We need reassurance when we are disappointed and find no reason to carry on. Life has so many circumstances where we all need reassurance.

Israelites are politically weak. Israelites have no morale after seventy years of slavery in Babylon. Israel has no army worth a name amongst surrounding nations. Israel is economically struggling. The people and the reluctant leaders have no confidence required to drive the national agenda. It is at this lowest moment that God sends a message to them.

Haggai 2:2
“Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them,

God tells Haggai to go and speak to the leaders and the people. Zerubbabel the civil leader. Joshua the spiritual leader. Then everyone else. What message does God have for these people?

Haggai 2:4-5
(4) But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. (5) ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

Be strong is the message to Zerubbabel. Be strong is the message to Joshua the spiritual leader. Be strong, is the message to everyone else in Israel. Why should they be strong with such an economy? Why should they be strong with such a poor army? Why should they be strong? God responds to that question by telling them that, be strong because I am with you. These are the most reassuring words!

God reminds them through Haggai that His presence is what He promised their ancestors when they left Egypt. God still reassures them that He hasn’t broken the promise or changed His mind. God tells them that while you may not see Me, My Spirit is still among you. Therefore, if God is still with them through His Spirit, how should they respond to that knowledge? Do not fear! If God is with you, do not fear! These are the most reassuring words!

What is God saying? Do not find strength in a good economy. Do not find strength in a powerful fearsome army. Do not find strength in a sound political system. God says find strength in my presence. I am with you. When I am with you the state of your circumstances is inconsequential. I am with you should answer all questions and calm all fears and worries. These are the most reassuring words!

When God is with you, lack of money is not an issue because whatever you need He can create not even purchase. When God is with you, you don’t need money for healthcare, He can declare healing, He can raise the dead in case of death. When God is with you, you lack nothing and nothing is impossible. Therefore to answer all questions and worries that miserable Israelites had, God tells them, be strong, do not fear, because I am with you. These are the most reassuring words!

I am with you. These are the most reassuring words spoken to us by people and better still by God. How do you feel when a loved one tells you in your most difficult time that I am with you? That is exactly what God says to us in our difficulties – I am with you. These are the most reassuring words!

Speak to my heart dear God. Speak words of reassurance in all my circumstances, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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