Day 12

Encouragement and Promise



Haggai 2:1-23, Romans 8:9-10, Hebrews 12:26

BY Guest Writer

Scripture Reading: Haggai 2:1-23, Romans 8:9-10, Hebrews 12:26

I suppose we’re all a little skeptical in the promises department. We feel like we need some collateral when someone makes one. But as a woman, as a Christ-follower, and as a broken person in desperate need of healing—nothing has changed me more than the Word of God, and more specifically, His promises to His people.

As the scattered Israelites stared at their ruined temple, God’s promises, voiced through Haggai, must have seemed impossible. And yet He fulfilled His promises in ways they never could have fathomed. Jesus would one day restore the temple. In fact, He would become the temple (John 2:19).

He will keep His promises to us too. Everywhere we see destruction in our lives, we will one day see restoration. Where we feel only brokenness, we will one day experience healing. The grief we know so intimately now will one day be replaced with deep, lasting joy. Right now, this very moment, Jesus is working to make all things new. It won’t be long now.

Death will die. Tears will dry. All brokenness will mend. And where we currently see rubble, we will see a world re-built on the bedrock promises of God.

When? In the words of the Lord Himself, “in a little while” (Haggai 2:6). The time between this moment and the fulfillment of the beautiful promises of God is short. On the radar screen of eternity, the time between now and the realization of His promises is just a blip. And as we wait, He tells us, “My Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid” (Haggai 2:5; see also Romans 8:10). His words are not just an encouragement, but a promise too.

Based on the evidence of their current circumstances, the Israelites had reason to believe that God had abandoned them and reneged on His promises. Yet through the prophet Haggai, God reminded them to get their eyes off the brokeness because He is a God who comes through. If they’d only turn toward Him, they would see it! The call is the same for us, to lift our eyes from the brokenness inside us and all around us. We can look forward with great hope because God’s promises are true!

“For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:16–18).

Hung on a cross, Jesus chose to die for us. His finished work there is our collateral. We are a broken yet redeemed people, stitched together with a promise. There is something better coming. It won’t be long now. Just a little while.

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Erin Davis is an author, blogger, and speaker who loves to see women of all ages run to the deep well of God’s Word. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest.

Post Comments (38)

38 thoughts on "Encouragement and Promise"

  1. Steph C says:

    I was really grabbed by this little phrase in Haggai 2:4, “Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you”. Be strong and work knowing that the Lord is with us. Whether I apply this to my job as an icu nurse in a stressful hospital unit or doing God’s work as I move through life, how encouraging to remember, “Be strong …. Work, for I am with you”.

  2. Heidi Melo says:

    Okay, I was blown away by this:
    While reading Haggai 2, the phrase “a little while” (v. 6) caught my eye and I could’ve sworn I’d heard it somewhere else in Scripture. I tried John 16 and sure enough…
    [Jesus speaking in John 16:18] “A little while and you will see me no longer; and again a little while and you will see me.”
    As I read all of John 16, I was BLOWN AWAY by the parallels with Haggai 2!
    Promises of redemption, a new place of worship, peace through the Father, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit…it’s all so incredibly rich!
    We’re not just promised restoration in the short term—God in Haggai 2 and Jesus in John 16 are making the same promise: He will redeem, bring justice, and come back for His people and give them a new, restored home of relationship with and worship of God.

  3. Samone says:

    Ladies,
    I am coming to you humbly asking for prayers for my husband.

    We all have our own suffering in our lives or those around us. Praying we stay focused on what is true, like this devotional points out in so many eloquent ways.
    If you are struggling today, sending up a prayer for an added measure of strength for you. :)

    1. Brittany Ringo says:

      Praying for you and your husband Samone!

    2. Chaney Bowman says:

      I am praying!

    3. Jennifer D says:

      Lifting up your husband in prayer! May God cover you in His peace, Samone.

    4. Verlette McKendree says:

      I just orayed for him and you. And yes I would love all the prayers I get.

  4. PamC says:

    This is such a timely message today. I’ve been sad because of my brokenness, my losing battle with weight, with spending etc., and now that seems small. My neighbors to the north lost their town.. their entire town. My husband’s boss lost his, and now the Camp fire is headed for his parent’s home south of Chico. Only the 99 is holding the fire right now. The horror of it is just beyond comprehension. But God…even in this…we are to be strong and brave. We need to turn our eyes to God. He is our sanctuary, our Savior Jesus, our peace in the face of devestation. Pray for Paradise & Chico & all the surrounding towns, ranches & farms. Thank you in advance for hour prayers, Sisters.

    1. Chaney Bowman says:

      Y’all have gone through so much, I am praying right now.

      1. PamC says:

        Thank you

    2. Ash says:

      My family survived the Santa Rosa fires last year, but my grandpa lost his old house in paradise yesterday. Praying for safety and peace and hope.

  5. Alexis says:

    I was close to tears reading Haggai 2 and this devotional. Thank you for you words and this study on God’s promises. This is my favorite bit that I plan to hold close to my heart:
    He will keep His promises to us too. Everywhere we see destruction in our lives, we will one day see restoration. Where we feel only brokenness, we will one day experience healing. The grief we know so intimately now will one day be replaced with deep, lasting joy. Right now, this very moment, Jesus is working to make all things new. It won’t be long now.

    Death will die. Tears will dry. All brokenness will mend. And where we currently see rubble, we will see a world re-built on the bedrock promises of God.

    Amen. Amen. Amen <3

  6. Mari V says:

    I really liked what ERIN said, “ The call is the same for us, to lift our eyes from the brokenness inside us and all around us. We look forward with great hope because God‘s promises are true”’. There’s been a lot of that around me. BUT God… Oh but God… He is my God! He gives me strength to do what I do. ALL the glory is HIS and not mine.
    Please pray for my children. We had something happen late last night but I can see that my kids have gotten stronger themselves

    1. Alexis says:

      Praying <3

      1. Chaney Bowman says:

        Praying for your kids!

  7. Janna Jackson says:

    This world is broken and we are broken people. Thank God there is more then this life and God one day will restore everything to be right with Him. While I am on this Earth, I daily need to acknowledge my brokenness before the Lord and trust that he is making me new every day and using my experiences to bring Glory to Him.

  8. Linda G says:

    Oh I needed this. Thank you Lord. Thank you SRT

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