09.27.14
Haggai 2.4-54 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. – God (ESV)
So, this morning, let’s say someone came to your front
door, rang the bell; and while you were shaking off the dregs of sleep (if your
mind allowed you to have some last night) said to you: Be strong______________ (insert your name), declares the Lord, get up
and go work, for I am with you. My Spirit remains in you! Fear not. (Oh, right,
it’s Saturday – Americans don’t work on Saturdays…).
God’s people had returned to Judah from Persian exile and
were now trying to rebuild their city, their homes, and their Temple. They had
run out of steam and were becoming distracted by other things they felt were
more pressing: like building their own homes, farms, and lands. And God through
His prophet Haggai (‘festive’) said something to the effect of: “Guys! Nothing has changed! You still need your
city, you still need your Temple, and you still need your God; and He says, ‘My
Spirit remains in your midst!’”
The Jews had lost their focus and God simply came
alongside and reminded them that despite seventy years of exile, they were to
go right back to where they were, and start over again serving Him. His plans
for them had never changed.
Sometimes we think things have changed and it’s true because things do; but as the song goes:
this one thing remains*… That one thing is God and His relationship
with us. It never stops and it never changes. The glorious Temple was one day
going to cease being a building and become a movement of people where God would
not just dwell in their midst but more importantly, in their hearts.
I took these words from Haggai this morning: be strong, I
am with you, fear not. No one showed up at my door but had they, and had they
said that, I would’ve taken it to heart. Really.
Father, today I hear You, and today I’m glad You’ve said,
be strong, I am with you Paul; don’t be
afraid. Your love never fails, it
never gives up; it never runs out on me*… Amen Lord! Nothing has changed. You
are good! Amen.
*One Thing Remains – Jesus Culture
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