Arise and Build
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
(Zech 4:6, Matt 16:18)
I have sometimes thought of the 10-million-dollar Cathedral Sanctuary Complex we are building at Nakasero as a Mega-structure project; think of the tallest buildings in the world or even in Kampala. Indeed in terms of complexity, cost, materials, engineering and technologies, we can dare to compare projects. However there is a fundamental difference: God has given people might and power to build our houses and palaces, hotels and restaurants, intricate stadiums, trade centers and all sorts of structures; but as for the House of the Lord, he says “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit”. This was the word of encouragement to Zerubbabel who was leading the effort to rebuild the Temple after the Jews were accepted by Emperor Cyrus to return from exile; it took them over 21 years, but was finally completed in 516 BC.
I have recently been disturbed and troubled about how God builds; very few of us can claim to know how he does it. How do our committee meetings fit into His building activities? What about our knowledge in technical fields: procurement, engineering, fundraising techniques – how do these come in? Moreover it is God who gives these gifts! There is a likely dangerous possibility that these very gifts can stand in the way of God. Because we use them to implement our personal, business and government projects, there is a temptation to work on the House of the Lord in a similar way, and yet He says ‘not by might, not by power’.
Jesus said, “I will build my church”, referring the assembly of believers. There is overwhelming Biblical evidence that He is also concerned about the physical house. God has given us opportunity to participate in His work, through giving; each one of us has a part to play. “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this House lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4). This provocation will remain with us until the House of the Lord is built. ‘But some of us live in small old huts about to collapse in slums,’ some people may so excuse themselves: I remind you of the widow of Zarephath from whose only remaining meal, Elijah insisted on having a share first. She had to serve God first, and indeed God sustained and took good care of her (1Kings 17).
Now it is time for us to build the Cathedral. Each one of us, arise and build! Pray for the project, bring money and materials, bring advice and ideas, ask to know more details, bear it as a burden, do not give up or even relax; it is time to build! And more importantly, let us continually seek His will in devotion and prayer and humbly avail all these gifts for His use as He builds.
Have a Blessed New Year!