The only thing Julius Kettle didn’t enjoy about returning home from boarding school on weekends was the countless rocks he had to gather. His father was gradually turning their family farm into a structure that looked much like a castle, built from the rocks of the land—rocks that Julius had to collect. Years later my folks bought the property, and when I now look at the castle-house, I can’t help but marvel at how skillfully it was crafted.
When the people of God started returning to Jerusalem after years of captivity in Babylon, He instructed them to rebuild the temple that now lay in ruins. God encouraged them in their task by showing the prophet Zechariah glimpses of a future restoration of all they had lost in exile through the coming reign of a victorious King (Jesus) and His kingdom (Zechariah 9:9-10).
God reminded His people that the rebuilding of the temple would not be possible “by force nor by strength, but by [His] Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). When they became despondent at seeing only its foundation, God urged them to not “despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” and assured them that He would ensure its completion (Zechariah 4:7-10).
Just as there were days when God’s people wanted to give up rebuilding the temple, perhaps you’ve been tempted to give up on something God has called you to do. Press on in His strength. As the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “You should finish what you started” (2 Corinthians 8:11). Even if you feel like you’re experiencing only “small beginnings,” you can move forward in the power God provides.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 15:1-37
More:
Read Philippians 1:6 and consider how God will finish the good work He started in you.
Next:
Are you currently tempted to give up on a project or person God has called you to pursue? How can you move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit?
sandy229 on April 9, 2017 at 11:44 am
Sometimes I am tempted to think, It’s a lost cause, just give up. But God never gave me up as a lost cause, so I will never give up on the one’s I am praying for to have salvation. Thank you for this timely reminder Ruth, not to give up. Of course I will never give up praying for my son to return to Christ, because I know it will happen some day as God promised. I am also praying for GAgirl’s son. Also in Philippians 1:6, it says that “He who began a good work in you will finish it to completion.” So, the others I am praying for are in my jeep group, and I pray that I can be a good witness to them though all the trials and trails we have. I know that it wasn’t by chance we met this group because we met the President (who’s Father was the founder of this group years ago). OK, so we met him because one day we had to find some water carriers for our jeep, and we were thinking that Pep boys had them, but when we went to the one here in town, we discovered it was just a car fixer place. He told us about the one in the next city, which was about 10 miles away(oh I know, so far). Instead of going there, we went to Toy’s for Trucks, and they didn’t have any there, so he told us to go to Pep Boys, we went to one other place I think, then decided to go to Pep Boys in the next town since we couldn’t find what we wanted anywhere. As soon as we drove up, this guy came up and started talking to us, saying he liked our jeep and was telling us about his club. I knew right away that God planned for us to be there at the same time he was. So since it’s too late to make this long story short, it is this club where I found out there is this Christian couple there, and I know what God’s plan for me is in this group, so I will never give up, even not being able to go anywhere for 3 months with them, I will never give up on them.
sjames46 on April 9, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Thanks for sharing a bit of your Christian journey. Perseverance is a diminishing characteristic in this era of expecting immediate gratification. As we walk in the Light we learn to trust and be patient on our Lord and Savior.
glennwhitfield on April 10, 2017 at 11:04 am
An image of the “Stone Castle” would be awesome… google couldn’t find anything.