Haggai
1:12
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.
In
last week’s lesson we observed Haggai, a prophet of God, delivering a word of
rebuke from God to the elders of Israel. Sixteen years had passed since the
return of God’s people from exile. The people had settled in, but had not
completed the rebuilding of the Temple, which was the expressed purpose for
them returning to Jerusalem. They built the foundation, then stopped. Whether
it was because of discouragement or faithlessness or whether it was just
because the cares and concerns of everyday life had pushed the worship of God down their list of
priorities. Sound familiar? Never the less, God kept on blessing, didn’t He?
Sixteen years, no worship, and they were still building, there growing,
amassing stuff.. This does sound familiar…
Thankfully, the Israelites responded to the Word of the Lord positively; they
went to work. A scant three weeks later and there is noticeable progress being
made. God’s people are stepping up to the challenge. They are obeying. Beloved,
God takes no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices. He doesn’t need your
money. He wants you. The thing on this earth that has the most value to Him is
that which was created in His Image and in His likeness: You. He wants you;
spirit, soul, mind and body, He sent His Son, Jesus after you… Just wanted you
to know..
Haggai
1:13
Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.
Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.
Four
of the most comforting words in Scripture. “I Am with you.” There is no greater
encouragement for believers. None. When God is with, and that’s always, He’s
more than the whole world against you. When God meets you in that place where
the storms of life are raging, when He whispers, “I Am with you.”, in that
still, small voice, just know, just know that He, who has never failed, will
not, cannot fail…you. Isn’t that Good news?!
Haggai
2:2
“Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them,
“Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them,
God is
not looking for a crowd, is He? Just a faithful few. The Bible is replete with
examples of God accomplishing a lot with a little. Beloved, you and God are a
majority, if you’ll let Him use you.
Haggai
2:3
‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?
‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?
Haggai
2:9
‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”
‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”
You’ve
heard the expression, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” God is letting His people
know that the endeavor that they have embarked on has eternal consequences.
Eternal. God is clearly telling His people not to judge their effort according
to the former glory of the Temple built by Solomon, but to see through eyes of
faith and envision a Temple more glorious than can be imagined. Jesus and the
Church personify the Temple of God; He is the Head, we are the body. In us, by
Him, God’s Holy Spirit abides. I spoke earlier of God finding value in man. How
much more so, now that we’ve received His Spirit?
2
Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
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Haggai
2:8
‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.
‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.
I have
to close. Let me close with this. Don’t worry about what you don’t have. Obey
God with what you have, He’ll provide whatever else is needed. How often do we
put off this project or that because we don’t have all of the material, money,
help, stuff, whatever that we think we need to accomplish the task? Use what
you have. You won’t go anywhere if you don’t start somewhere. And don’t worry
because…God will be with you.
Selah
.wb
See the video (it’s always different) http://youtu.be/5gv08A6ApJE
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