4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, 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. – Haggai 2:4 (NIV)
If you went to the doctor and were told that you really need to get stronger, what do you think the prescription would be? There isn’t a magic pill for it. You wouldn’t be given a list of books to go read about what strength looks like. You’d be told to go to the gym and start working out.
“But wait,” you say – “the diagnosis is that I’m weak and you’re telling me to go pick up heavy things?”
“Exactly,” the doctor replies. “The only way to be strong is to strength train.”
Three times the Lord tells the leaders and the people to be strong. Were they just supposed to pull strength out of their pocket? Was there a magic switch to flip somewhere that would turn them into strong and courageous people? No. The Lord knew they would only get stronger as they committed to strength training.
They were going to experience hurdles of all kinds and sizes. That’s strength training.
They would meet resistance from within and without. That’s strength training, too.
The heavy workload they were going to have to carry – strength training.
Lifting each other up when they were weak, injured, or ready to quit – strength training.
Continuing again tomorrow even though they’re tired and sore – strength training.
Fighting daily against doubt, discouragement, and despair – strength training.
Consistently showing up and putting in the work even when they couldn’t yet see results – strength training.
Being strong is a choice. It’s a choice to partner with God and His very Presence in your life to face difficult circumstances and obstacles without fear and without giving up. He’s not asking you to attempt these things in your own strength – we’re all fully aware that’s not possible. Instead, He’s inviting you to show up each day for “strength training” fully reliant on His strength. And it’s by His grace that he imparts His strength to us through our consistency and perseverance.
Funny thing about the gym – no matter where you start, consistency and commitment will bring you to the place where you find what once was really heavy is now easier to lift. Not because it lessened in its degree of difficulty or got lighter, but because you’re getting stronger.
Don’t be afraid to pick up heavy things. That’s the Lord’s prescribed workout regimen for building strong disciples. And His very Presence is right there with you. That means you have the greatest personal trainer ever in your corner guiding, teaching, building you up, and encouraging you not to give up because He knows the best is yet to come.