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.'”

The thing that strikes me about this verse is God saying, “My Spirit is working among you, so you’ve got nothing to be afraid of.” (That’s the way the Japanese expresses it.) It doesn’t matter what circumstances look like to our natural senses; if the Holy Spirit is at work, we should not be afraid. Frankly, that is often easier said than done. All sorts of things work to make us anxious and afraid. We need to make the clear choice to trust God regardless. I’m back to John 16:33. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We are so easily consumed emotionally by the world around us, when the consistent message of the Bible is that life is far more than that. In Christ, life is eternal and glorious! All we should need to have emotional stability and even joy is the awareness that the Holy Spirit is working in, around, and through us. That is exactly what this verse is talking about. It is reminding us that God’s promises are eternal, and He is totally trustworthy. It is up to us to trust God as He deserves and not allow the devil to steal our peace and joy.

This fits in exactly with the sermon yesterday on James 4:7, in which I said that we experience victory over the devil when we are fully submitted and obedient to God, but only then. I’ve got to listen to my own sermons! It was like a gut punch when one of the major members of the church let another member know he would be attending another church yesterday, but didn’t let me know. I’ve got to trust that the Holy Spirit is at work, and ask Him what I am to do so that the Body of Christ may be built up. I am to be humble and not defensive, knowing that the sheep are mine only by delegation; they belong to God. I am to seek God’s instructions for each day, each moment, not missing any of His appointments but fulfilling my part in each one. I am to delight to be a conduit of His grace and blessing, His Spirit, so that He may be acknowledged as holy and His kingdom come as His will is done in and through me, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Various things are coming at us from various directions at this point, and the cumulative effect is beyond what we could handle on our own. However, as Paul said, we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13) Thank You. Help us indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in the middle of it all, recognizing, receiving, and enjoying all the blessings You have for us in and through it, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!