Haggai 1: 15-2:9
They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius.
On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggi: “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ‘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? But 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, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. “This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.
This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.
A Thought
God’s exiled people had returned to their homeland. At first they had started to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, but became discouraged. Then the people started to focus on building their own beautiful homes while God’s house was neglected. God speaks through Haggai to let the people know their lives are fruitless unless they are obedient to him first. God says to give careful thought to their ways. So they have started to rebuild the temple of the Lord God Almighty. God now asks if anyone remembers the glory of his former house? It is nothing in comparison to the former, but God encourages the people to be strong, to work, not to fear that his Spirit remains with them. The day will come when God will shake the heavens and earth, along with all the nations. God will once again bring his glory back to Jerusalem to setup his eternal kingdom. We need to give careful thought to our ways. Do we put God first? Do we believe Jesus will return to earth to setup his eternal kingdom?
Our Prayer
Father thank you that your word is filled with encouragement for all who will give careful thought to our ways. Help us to serve you and others first. Thank you that we can trust you to provide all that we need in this life and and the life to come. Forgive us when we are not faithful to honor you first. Thank you that you are always faithful to your word. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that leads us to become more like Jesus Christ. Come, Holy Spirit, come. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
