9. How did Josiah seek to promote the worship of God?
“And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord.” 2 Chron. 35:2.
10. By what message, through the prophet Haggai, did God seek to encourage the people to rebuild the temple?
“Be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:4.
11. What encouraging message has Christ left us?
“Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
Notes.—A dispirited man, like a discouraged horse, is powerless to perform his task.
“What men need most in this world's struggle and strife is not usually direct help, but cheer.... Many men have fainted and succumbed in the great struggles whom one word of cheer would have made strong to overcome. We should never, then, lose an opportunity to say an inspiring word. We know not how much it is needed, nor how great and far-reaching its consequences may be.”—“Week-Day Religion,” by J. R. Miller, D. D., page 170.