Haggai 2:5 ‘This
is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my
Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’ (NIV)
I love watching the Super Bowl. When I lived in Scotland,
I started watching live broadcasts of this great sporting final during the
1980s. From the get-go, I have loved the game and since then I haven’t missed
this annual spectacular televised event. Now that I live here in the United
States, I get caught up in the team rivalries during the football season, but
no matter who appears in the Super Bowl, I root for the game itself which is a
wonderful display of athletic strength, coordinated teamwork, and skillful strategies.
As both teams enter the field, the players all have one
aspiration: to win the game. In the locker room, the coaches have just given
them the last of their inspiring words and positive affirmations about the need
for commitment, dedication, and unity on the field to ensure victory. In the
end, the team that is most determined and consistent will usually claim the
win.
Today’s verse from Haggai contains some inspiring words
that God gave to His people during troubled times. The prophet conveyed the
blessing of God’s constant presence and reassured them that His Spirit would
remain with them. The outcome of this promise was that they did not have to
fear what lay head; they just had to trust God’s words, as well as His
consistent ways.
That promise is still with us today. We may be facing
some new issues in our lives, our homes, our work, and even our church, but no
matter what lies ahead of us, God’s constant presence through Christ will be
there to guide and support us, to reassure and lead us.
Point to ponder
What challenges am I currently experiencing? Where is
God in the midst of them?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank
You for the presence of Your Spirit in our lives. Bless us with Your guidance
and love, so that we may overcome whatever problems or concerns are currently
happening. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor
of Erin Presbyterian Church in
Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to share some feedback about today’s
message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.
Today’s image is another
of John’s Celtic Crosses called ‘Celtic Spring.’ If you would like to view a
larger version, please click this link: Spring.
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