Courage - Day 7 (Haggai 2:4-5)

"But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, 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. This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear." -- Haggai 2:4-5

The word used for "be strong" is "Châzaq," again, as discussed in Day 6. Essentially, be strong, take courage, and hold fast. This is very consistent with what has been studied this entire week and we see that God clearly expects us to actually do this! We must be persistent and steadfast to do the things to which God has called us.

He then goes on to command the Israelites to work, consistent with 2 Chron 15:7, where it says our labors are rewarded. So far, nothing terribly new.

"For I am with you, says the Lord of Hosts." (Amplified)

This verse is what I see as being important. I am, signifying the infinite nature and absolute sovreignty of God. Beginning and end, alpha & omega. He is the creator of the universe. I am...with you! Let this sink in.

The weighty and awesome power of our almighty God is with us! He goes on to raise the stakes when He is referred to as the "Lord of Hosts." What one must understand is that this particular phrase is lost on us today. The "host," or Tsâvâ' is a mass of persons or things intended for a military or warfighting purpose. It is applied here in a way that alludes to the angels and celestial bodies of the heavans, formed and equipped to do battle at God's command. It also implies that God (the one who is with us, remember?), is the mightiest of all of the heavanly warriors, to be in command of the host. So essentially, what this verse really is saying: "I, creator of all things, almighty & powerful God, infinite in strength, greatest of warriors, vanquisher of every foe and commanding general of all the angelic armies of heaven, am here to fight for you."