Are you a quitter?

Haggai 1-2 Way back in the times of Moses, the large book of Deuteronomy lists the blessings and curses for obedience vs. disobedience. Fast forward to Haggai, and we see that the Israelites have yet to learn or recall what God had said, and now they are floundering. God graciously, [how often do we see that characteristic of His?] sends two prophets to them, Haggai and Zechariah. Haggai speaks with great emphasis to the people, and like in Malachi, Haggai uses questions to get the people thinking. First, he reminds them that God sent them back from Babylon to rebuild the temple, but it has been sixteen years since they first began with great flourish! But then this and that happened. The enemies began taunting them, and they quit.

How often do we begin with a great bang of excitement, but then something happens to derail us and send us into the pity party mode, or worse, we just quit. Our archenemy uses many tactics, one of which is allowing others to distract us from what God has clearly told us to do. Haggai asks the Jews what voice are you listening to? Are you a quitter? God is asking us that same question.  How do you respond?