Strong Hands

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in, for I set every man against his neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the LORD of hosts. 12 For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 13 And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”
Zechariah 8:9-13

Strong Hands
The Lord bids the hands of Israel be strong. It is true that no one can cause himself to believe but is not true that a Christian has nothing to do. God sets before each Christian works, designed just for him. This is not the God that works directly. He uses means. He works through the hands and feet of his servants. He builds the foundation of the temple with the hands of the Israelites. He builds faith in your heart by the means of preaching and sacraments. This work of the Holy Spirit makes us like the Christ that died for us. Faith moves out in compassion. Even by means, the Lord will continue to sustain you like he sustained the Israelites before. He sends preachers like the prophets of old. He sends preachers to declare that Word of absolution and to feed you with the very body and blood of the One who died for you to make you whole and new again. Thanks be to God for he has saved you and given you all these good things. The wages of sin is death, but the wages for and to faith is the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. All this is won for you by Jesus on the cross and delivered to you by the Holy Spirit. This is designed for you!
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