Don’t Compare—Keep Building: God Is Still With You | Pastor Kevin Nderitu

In Haggai chapter 2, God speaks to His people at a very specific moment—the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a time rich with meaning and history. This timing is not random; it’s a reminder that God’s story is unfolding with purpose and continuity. The feasts—Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles—were not just rituals, but a spiritual rhythm of repentance, renewal, and restoration. The Feast of Tabernacles, in particular, was a celebration of God’s abiding presence and a prophetic sign pointing to the ultimate dwelling of God with His people. Even as the Israelites remembered their wilderness days, living in temporary shelters, they were called back to full dependence on God, away from self-sufficiency and into trust.

In this context, the people faced discouragement as they rebuilt the temple. The new foundation seemed insignificant compared to the glory of Solomon’s temple, and the timing only deepened their grief. God, however, met them in their disappointment, naming their discouragement and calling them to faithfulness. The danger of comparison is real—it blinds us to the miracle God is working in our own lives and shifts our focus from His faithfulness to someone else’s progress. God’s call is not to build someone else’s temple or live someone else’s story, but to be faithful with what He has entrusted to us.

God’s encouragement is clear: “Be strong and work, for I am with you.” This is not a call to self-reliance, but to draw strength from His presence. Throughout Scripture, God’s presence is the source of courage and perseverance, whether to Joshua, Paul, or the disciples. Our strength is spirit-enabled, not rooted in our own abilities or resources. The measure of God’s glory is not in the size or impressiveness of our work, but in His presence with us.

As we step into seasons of challenge, restoration, or building—whether as individuals or as a church—God is more interested in forming our hearts, hope, and faith than in the outward results. The process of trusting, giving, and persevering is a training ground for our faith, preparing us for the fullness of His promises. Even when progress feels slow or the work seems small, God is building something eternal in us and through us. His faithfulness remains, and His presence is our power. The invitation is to say yes, to trust deeper, and to be part of something that will outlast us and bless generations to come.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Timing and Story Are Intentional Every detail in God’s narrative, including the timing of events and feasts, is purposeful. These moments are not random but are woven into His redemptive story, reminding us that our seasons of waiting, restoration, or challenge are part of a larger divine plan. Paying attention to God’s timing helps us see the continuity of His presence and purpose in our lives. [01:07]
• 2. The Danger of Comparison and the Call to Faithfulness Comparison is a subtle thief of joy and faith. When we measure our progress or blessings against others, we risk missing the miracle God is working in our own story. God calls us to be faithful with what He has given us, not to build someone else’s temple, and to trust that His presence with us is the true measure of significance. [13:13]
• 3. Strength Comes from God’s Presence, Not Self-Reliance God’s repeated command to “be strong” is not an invitation to muster up our own strength, but to draw deeply from His presence. Throughout Scripture, God’s people are reminded that their courage and perseverance are rooted in the assurance that He is with them. Our strength is spirit-enabled, and our obedience is sustained by His faithfulness, not our own abilities. [17:41]
• 4. Seasons of Smallness Are Seasons of Formation When progress feels slow or the work seems unimpressive, God is often doing His deepest work beneath the surface. These seasons are not wasted; they are training grounds where faith, resilience, and dependence on God are formed. God is more interested in building our character and trust than in outward results, and He uses these moments to align our hearts with His purposes. [27:42]
• 5. God’s Faithfulness Anchors Us Through Disappointment Disappointment and discouragement are inevitable, but they do not have the final word. God anchors our present struggles in His eternal promises, reminding us that His faithfulness remains even when circumstances are hard. The antidote to fear and discouragement is not faster progress, but a deeper awareness of God’s unchanging presence and covenant love. [32:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:32] - The Significance of God’s Timing
• [01:48] - The Spiritual Sequence of the Feasts
• [03:44] - Joy Rooted in Reconciliation
• [04:20] - Dependence on God in the Wilderness
• [04:54] - Restoration and Prophetic Fulfillment
• [06:07] - God’s Desire to Dwell Among His People
• [07:21] - Facing Disappointment in Rebuilding
• [09:20] - The Weight of Comparison
• [13:13] - Missing the Miracle Through Comparison
• [15:09] - God’s Reassurance: Be Strong and Work
• [17:41] - Strength from God’s Presence, Not Ourselves
• [19:28] - Naming Sources of Discouragement
• [22:04] - Remembering Who Is With Us
• [27:42] - God Is Building Us, Not Just the Building
• [32:04] - Anchored in God’s Faithfulness
• [38:25] - Prayers of Surrender, Courage, and Unity
• [42:15] - Closing Blessing and Benediction

Bible Reading

Haggai 2:1-9 (ESV) — 1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet:
2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say,
3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?
4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts,
5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.
6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.
7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.
9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’”

John 1:14 (ESV) — And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revelation 21:3 (ESV) — And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Haggai 2:3, what was the emotional state of the people as they looked at the new temple foundation? What specific comparison were they making?
2. In Haggai 2:4-5, what repeated command does God give to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people? What reason does He give for this command?
3. How does the sermon describe the purpose and meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles for the Israelites?
4. What does God say is the true measure of the temple’s significance—its outward appearance or something else?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to speak to His people on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a time full of history and meaning? What might He have been reminding them of?
2. The people were discouraged because the new temple seemed small compared to Solomon’s. What does this reveal about the danger of comparison in our spiritual lives?
3. God’s command to “be strong and work, for I am with you” is repeated several times. What does this say about where our strength and motivation should come from?
4. The sermon says that “seasons of smallness are seasons of formation.” How might God use times when progress feels slow or unimpressive to shape our faith and character?

Application Questions

1. The Israelites were tempted to compare their current work to the “glory days” of the past. In what areas of your life do you find yourself comparing your progress or blessings to others? How does this affect your faith or joy?
2. God’s encouragement was not “try harder” but “trust deeper.” Is there a specific area in your life right now where you feel God is asking you to trust Him more rather than rely on your own strength? What would it look like to lean into His presence this week?
3. The sermon mentioned that God is more interested in forming our hearts, hope, and faith than in outward results. Can you think of a recent “small” or unimpressive season in your life? How might God have been working beneath the surface during that time?
4. When disappointment or discouragement comes, the antidote is a deeper awareness of God’s presence. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God’s presence when you feel discouraged?
5. The Feast of Tabernacles was a time to remember God’s provision in the wilderness. What is one way you can practice remembering and celebrating God’s faithfulness in your own story this week?
6. The sermon challenged us to say “yes” to God’s invitation, even when it feels costly or uncertain. Is there a specific step of obedience or faithfulness you sense God is inviting you to take right now? What is holding you back?
7. The process of trusting, giving, and persevering is described as a “training ground for our faith.” What is one area where you want to grow in perseverance or faithfulness? How can your small group support you in this?