“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the seven capstones in the hand of Zerubbabel” – (Zechariah 4:10)

Setbacks are common to life. Perhaps you once started on a task and it has faced obstacles along the way, derailing it. Do not give up.

Maybe you could look to Zerrubbabel, the leader of the people of Judah, who was called by God to begin rebuilding the temple after exile in Babylon. Perhaps he imagined it a quicksand project. Yet what was clearly a call from God and a good work at that would take 17 years to see to completion!

When he first raised a foundation Zerubbabel found his people giving him little credit. “But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads who had seen the former temple wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid…” (Ezekiel 3:12). Later some people set out to discourage him. “Then the people around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and made them afraid to go on building” (Ezra 4:4).

Any of us here could relate. Who has not handled that job which didn’t go to plan! But just as Zerubbabel faced a setback and eventually overcame, you too should have faith God will see you through. As the word of the Lord says: “being confident in the day that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6).

Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray to hold on to that dream you have given me and will see it to completion however long it might take, this I pray in Jesus’ name.