The Return Part II
13Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, spoke the
LORD's message to the people, saying, "I am with you, says the LORD."
14So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of
Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the
high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and
worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, 15on the
twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.Haggai 1:13-15
As the Jews were rebuilding the city, temple, and walls of Jerusalem they
faced great opposition. The environment was harsh and growing crops and taking
care of even their basic needs was difficult. The neighboring people were not
helpful and even threatened to attack. Despite all the odds the city and temple
were rebuilt and Nehemiah rebuilt the wall in 52 days! How did this happen? The
people were "stirred up" by God's spirit.
How easy it is to try to rely on our strengths. We need a constant reminder
that we need to rely on Christ's strength not our own. We can do all things
through Him; without Him we can do nothing. (Philippians 4:13, John 15:5)
The Sudanese are returning to a harsh environment and a country which has
been devastated by over 20 years of civil war. The infrastructure is gone.
Schools, churches, and hospitals were destroyed in the conflict. Not only do we
plan to help by providing medical care, we are reaching out into the community
to help in the rebuilding process. Most importantly we need to keep our eyes on
Jesus and seek and follow His guidance in the rebuilding process. We are there
to share the love of Christ through word and deed. Please join us as we work
hand in hand with the Sudanese to help them rebuild their world. Everyone is not
called by God to travel to Sudan to rebuild cities, provide medical care, and
spread God's Word, but we are all called to devote ourselves to helping our
Christian brothers and sisters in whatever ways we can. Ask the Holy Spirit to
remove the scales from our eyes and let us see the tremendous needs of the world
around us.
Mike McMahon
"In a civil war the firing line is invisible; it passes through
the hearts of men." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Prayer Power
Lord, please always remind us that we can do all things only through you and
teach us to not rely on our own power. Amen