“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:
Be strong and finish the task!
Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building. Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals.
No traveler was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other.
“But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings.”
“Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation.
But no longer!
Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid.
Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!”
Zechariah 8:9-13 NLT
There’s just something to be said about how often God reminded the people to Be Strong and Work. To keep going. To remember the past, allow it to strengthen their resolve, and work toward a better future.
We all need reminded of that. Maybe moving forward on tasks is not your struggle. But for you to be strong and work looks like engaging a difficult relationship. Or slowing down to listen to your soul. Or praying instead of fixing.
Whatever our struggle tends toward, the good news is verse 13:
Before, because of disobedience, God’s people were a symbol of curse among the nations.
But now?
“Now I will resuce you.” In the Hebrew, it means to save, avenge, defend, give victory.
And why?
So you can be a source of blessing (liberal and generous) to the nations.
The word for nations literally means a Gentile. A non-Jew. Those who are not God’s people.
The purpose of Him giving us victory as we are obedient to be strong and work is liberal generosity to those who don’t yet know Him.
His heart for the world He has created is one reason we can love Him.
His dying for that world is why we should worship.