As the end of the Israelite exile in Babylon came to an end, God began to prepare Israel for their return home. They went home in waves, one group went early to rebuild the wall around the city, another group went early to rebuild the temple, and then everyone else came to rebuild their homes. And to prepare the Israelites for their return, God gave these words to the prophet Haggai in 2:1-9:
In the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.
Before the Israelites could return, it was imperative that God remind them not to be afraid. Certainly returning to their homeland would be challenging, full of risk and danger, and was likely an intimidating prospect, but God nonetheless wanted Israel to trust in God for their safety. And what exactly was supposed to embolden the Israelites; from where was their courage drawn? From the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
Of all the reasons God could have supplied to the Israelites for not being afraid, God chose to remind them that the Holy Spirit was with them. God could have said, “Do not be afraid for I will protect you,” or “Do not be afraid for I will fight for you,” or any number of other reasons, but it is the presence of the Holy Spirit that was chosen to encourage, uplift, and protect the Israelites. And what could be more safe, more empowering, or more courage giving than having the presence of God with you? These Israelites were empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit to carry out the work with which God had tasked them. How amazing is that?!
My question, then, is do we feel as empowered and courageous as the Israelites did? We have the same Holy Spirit abiding with us, but do we still fear the work that God has called us to do? All followers of Christ have been called to live a life that stands as a witness to the life, love, and sacrifice of Christ, but are we afraid of living such a life? Are we afraid of the sacrifices following Christ will demand? Are we afraid of the consequences following Christ will enact? Are we afraid of the lifestyle changes that following Christ will bring? Or are we courageously living our lives for Christ because we know the presence of God is with us in the Holy Spirit? The choice to be afraid or to not be afraid is ours, but remember, if the Holy Spirit abides with us, we do not have to be afraid.