day 89: Rescue Plans, part 1 - People to Work

We are now getting used to hearing about government rescue plans and bailouts and work programs that will create jobs. In many work places those ideas are part of the planning for the future of the company as they relate to economic growth and consumer confidence. In America we still hear and read about "The Works Progress Administration" and can see buildings, roads,schools, monuments and dams that were created during that period. We work today with our eye on both the public and private sector and watch as they sometimes blend together. I was fascinated by my reading of the book of Zechariah and what happened at a time of complete economic meltdown in those days. In the eighth chapter we learn of a time when "there were no jobs and no wages for either people or animals". (FYI, these troubled economics periods we see in our modern age are nothing new). But, what was most intriguing to me was that during those times the "stimulus package" was to put people back to work by rebuilding the temple. The people of Israel are told in Chapter 8 verse 13: "Now I will rescue you and and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing! So don't be afraid or discouraged, but instead get on with rebuilding the Temple!" Even way back then, God had a plan for how to put in a comprehensive rescue plan by putting people to work on his Temple. We are faced with today the challenges of what to do when it seems that the world and our situations are crumbling around us. There are many messages in Zechariah that we can take forward, but one that sticks with me is that in the troubling times we are not to lean back and become complacent or retiring. We are to lean forward and get to work. We are to work our way out of situations and crisis, not depend on others to do so for us. God said to the Israelites, "don't get discouraged", just get on with getting the job done. Get on with getting to work. Each of us have our own challenges and issues to work through during these difficult times and we should take heart that God tells us that this is not the first time and that like He did before He will put in front of us work to be done. We just need to pick ourselves up and get on with it. It may be today in your job when you need that extra bit of motivation to complete the task. Today, listen to what we are told and just get on with it.

Reference: Zechariah 8:9-13 (New Living Testament)