Anyone who has been in church for any length of time will have moments when they are terribly discouraged.
Haggai addressed the leaders of the people and asked them to gather folks who remembered the Temple of God in its former glory. This would be similar to going to long-time members of churches and asking them to recall the highlights of the congregation to which they belong.
“Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing?” (Haggai 2.3).
Changes within the church can be so profound that members of the congregation might find themselves unable to discern God’s presence or find anything that motivates their desire to attend.
Empty pews and shuttered church buildings in parts of every major city serve as a testament to the discouragement people can experience within their congregations.
Amid discouragement and challenging situations within the church, it’s important to recall that the church is the Bride of Christ. He assured us that the gates of Hades (the realm of the dead) would not overcome it.
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16.18).
God may purify the church, challenge the church, and bring the church to repentance. There is one thing we can be assured of: dead churches will not be the end result of God’s activity in our midst.
Take Courage
God’s message to the discouraged is to take courage. Throughout the Bible, God told his people to take courage. When God is at work in our lives, we can be encouraged and take courage knowing that He is at work.
Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts,
According to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit abides among you; do not fear (Haggai 2.4-5).
The phrase “work for I am with you” embodies a powerful principle. When we live within God’s will and follow His guidance, we can be confident that He is working alongside us. His Spirit dwells within us, so there’s no need for fear. Our only task is to follow His directions.
Henry Blackaby relocated his family from California to Canada to start a ministry focused on church planting. Upon his arrival to serve a church that was on the brink of closure with only ten members, he was met by another group from a location two hours away, seeking his help to start a new church.
Over the following two years, Blackaby led two small congregations in Canada, trusting in God’s presence and support. By the time he completed his ministry in Canada, his faithfulness to God’s call had led to the establishment of multiple congregations throughout the country, a testament to both his obedience and God’s loyalty to His promises.
Where discouragement could have easily overwhelmed faith, faith and a love relationship with God conquered discouragement and revealed God’s presence working through the church.
We do well to focus on this ourselves as we look at our work in God’s ministry.
The Splendor of the House
Haggai prophesied the splendor of God’s temple with remarkable clarity. The emotions experienced by Haggai and his followers were likely highly challenged on the day Jesus came to cleanse the temple.
The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts, and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts (Haggai 2.9).
One thing we can be certain of is that God often upends human reasoning. We look at something palatial and beautiful, adorned with all sorts of ornamentation, and we think, “Wow, this must be blessed by God.”
On the other hand, God says the first will be the last. A cross will conquer, not a crown.
To my knowledge, Richard Foster and Henry Blackaby, two of the most influential figures in my spiritual journey, never led large congregations. Foster ministered in relative obscurity within the vast expanse of Los Angeles, while Blackaby remained largely unnoticed in Canada until his “Experiencing God” materials propelled him into prominence.
We should celebrate the success of large ministries, but we must not overlook or be disheartened by smaller, less visible ones. God is actively working in all settings. We should seek out where God is at work and join Him there.
Let us be courageous, allowing our faith to overcome any feelings of discouragement. The best way to achieve this is by nurturing our loving relationship with God and adhering to His guidance for our lives.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discussed this patch on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 