Don't Quit Now!

Frustration is one of the chief enemies of progress. When our work feels insignificant, our progress unnoticeable, or our prospects of success slight, it is easy to drop out. We are supposed to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1), but it is hard to run when the race seems pointless.

This is the scene into which God called his prophet Haggai. Haggai's first sermon rebuked the peoples' mixed-up priorities. They were not putting God first. They had concentrated on their own houses rather than building God's house. But they listened to his rebuke and got to work. It wasn't long, however, before they were reminded of the reasons they had quit in the first place. We know how ambition, even for the best things, can so easily wilt once the waves of challenges confront us. So his second sermon encouraged the people to press on in faithful obedience despite ample opportunity to quit.

Persevering in the Christian life is basically a million little decisions—and a few big ones—to not quit when you feel like quitting. Haggai's second sermon can help us press on.