Press On
I was thinking about the idea of getting started recently, namely, all the work it takes to get something off the ground. You can relate to this, I’m sure. At some point in your life, you’ve started something from scratch, whether it’s a home improvement project or an organization. You have the desire to make a start. You have the vision. You can see the potential down the road. But before you can get there, you must start with “step 1.” Building anything from the ground up is both exhilarating and exhausting.
In the Old Testament book of Zechariah, we see this concept at work. Zechariah was a priest from a well-to-do family. He had been in captivity in Babylon but returned to Jerusalem, in part to rebuild the Temple. But years after the new foundation had been laid, there was little progress, and challenges abounded. Against this backdrop, God sent Zechariah a series of visions to encourage him and the returned Israelites.
In Zechariah 4:8–10, God assured Zechariah that Zerubbabel, the governor who had begun the work on the Temple, would indeed complete it. In verse 10, the Lord speaks against those who were discouraged and dismayed at the slow-going of the Temple rebuild: "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Whoever despised the day of small things . . . In other words, those who witnessed the beginning of the new thing but got overwhelmed at the task ahead.
So many times in life, we find ourselves starting over. Wherever this applies to you, don’t be discouraged. If God has led you to begin the work, He will see you complete it. And along the way, He will bless you amid hardship and success. Don’t get discouraged at the work that lies ahead. Get excited about the opportunity to work alongside God.
In the Old Testament book of Zechariah, we see this concept at work. Zechariah was a priest from a well-to-do family. He had been in captivity in Babylon but returned to Jerusalem, in part to rebuild the Temple. But years after the new foundation had been laid, there was little progress, and challenges abounded. Against this backdrop, God sent Zechariah a series of visions to encourage him and the returned Israelites.
In Zechariah 4:8–10, God assured Zechariah that Zerubbabel, the governor who had begun the work on the Temple, would indeed complete it. In verse 10, the Lord speaks against those who were discouraged and dismayed at the slow-going of the Temple rebuild: "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Whoever despised the day of small things . . . In other words, those who witnessed the beginning of the new thing but got overwhelmed at the task ahead.
So many times in life, we find ourselves starting over. Wherever this applies to you, don’t be discouraged. If God has led you to begin the work, He will see you complete it. And along the way, He will bless you amid hardship and success. Don’t get discouraged at the work that lies ahead. Get excited about the opportunity to work alongside God.