“‘Consider your ways…Yet now be strong…I am with you…My Spirit remains among you; do not fear! The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former…And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Haggai 1:4-5, 9.
For the Book of Haggai to only contain 38 verses, God’s message is clear for His people…‘consider your lives…I am within you and among you…be courageous…what we accomplish now will be even greater than what we have accomplished in the past.’ I can’t think of a more beautiful promise than this one made to God’s children in 520 BC. They had become complacent in doing the things God had planned for them. They had turned their back on building for God and returned to their own interests. Unintentionally their lack of commitment forfeited the pleasure and glory that would have been brought to God through their work. ‘Go…and bring…and build…that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD.' Haggai 1:8.
It is so easy to take our eyes off the things that are important to God and focus on things the world places before us. It is easy to forget that we have been positioned by God and are to go into the world…to bring unbelievers to God…to build up God’s people when things are falling down around them. His encouraging message and vision for our future produces great hope. Because He is with us, the future ahead of us will be much greater than the lives behind us. What greater message is there, from a God who has no rival in His love and faithfulness to you and to me?
For the person who is considering giving up on a dream or desire, be strong in the Lord because hope does not disappoint. For the couple who is building their marriage, allow God’s Spirit in the center, and your married life will be so much greater than your previous life. For the wounded heart who has turned their back on God, do not fear because He has not turned His back on you. For the unemployed who is feeling discouraged, the work God has for you will bring Him even more glory than the work you have already done for Him.
Whatever has become broken in our eyes, God will restore in greater glory than it originally was. We have this promise from God which anchors our hope for a far better future than we can ever imagine. We just must be willing to consider our ways and choose to receive the promise and peace He gives us in our lives.
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