God has something to say to His people in trying times. He wants to give us a word of encouragement and to stay strong. In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef shares the secret to encouragement.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the Daily Devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] The Way.
[00:00:07] The God Who Encourages Us by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:13] The greatest encouragement is God with us.
[00:00:17] God has something to say to His people in trying times.
[00:00:19] He wants to encourage us and help us stay strong.
[00:00:23] This was the message He brought to His people through the prophet Haggai.
[00:00:27] The year was 520 B.C., and many Jewish people had returned to Judea from exile.
[00:00:33] The people were busy rebuilding their homes in the temple of God, and then suddenly their
[00:00:38] world changed.
[00:00:39] Opposition from outside the community threatened their progress, and the people became discouraged.
[00:00:45] The temple construction stopped.
[00:00:47] God's people were filled with uncertainty and apprehension.
[00:00:51] Then God gave a message to the prophet Haggai.
[00:00:56] But now be strong, Zerubbabel declares the Lord.
[00:00:59] Be strong, Joshua.
[00:01:01] The High Priest, be strong all you people of the land, declares the Lord.
[00:01:05] And work, for I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty.
[00:01:10] God knows what you've been through.
[00:01:12] He knows how you feel.
[00:01:13] He knows what you need.
[00:01:15] He doesn't gloss over what's happening.
[00:01:17] He doesn't sugarcoat your crisis or your problems you're going through.
[00:01:21] He simply says, Be strong, for I am with you.
[00:01:26] This is the secret to encouragement.
[00:01:28] When you feel alone, experienced doubt, struggled trust, hear the voice of the Lord saying,
[00:01:33] I am with you.
[00:01:35] Be strong, be courageous, for I will surround you on all sides.
[00:01:40] I promise I will be your strong tower in the day of battle.
[00:01:44] In the world you will have trouble, but take heart.
[00:01:47] I have overcome the world.
[00:01:50] God told the people of Haggai's day, I will shake all nations and what is desired by all
[00:01:56] nations will come and I will fill this house with glory.
[00:02:00] Who is the one, desired by all nations?
[00:02:04] It's Jesus, of course.
[00:02:06] And what is this house?
[00:02:08] From the New Testament's perspective, God's house is the church.
[00:02:12] Believers are a temple of the Holy Spirit.
[00:02:15] It is we who have been filled with His glory.
[00:02:18] His presence is with us day and night, through thick and thin.
[00:02:22] We can be strong no matter what, because He will not leave us, nor forsake us.
[00:02:29] Let's pray together.
[00:02:30] Lord, thank You that You are with us.
[00:02:33] This truth sustains us and encourages us.
[00:02:35] We will rest in Your presence, whatever our situation.
[00:02:39] You are our strong tower.
[00:02:42] We pray this in the name of Jesus.
[00:02:45] Amen.
[00:02:46] To take a deeper dive into today's devotional topic, check the show notes for links to additional
[00:02:52] resources.
[00:02:53] And while you're there, subscribe to the My Devotional podcast so you never miss an
[00:02:58] episode.
[00:03:00] My Devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusef.
[00:03:04] To learn more, visit LTW.org today.