Haggai 2:1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts: 5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. 6 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. 9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.
In the Old Testament God spoke to us through prophets. In the New Testament he spoke through his Son, Jesus Christ. Four messages were delivered in the book of Haggai as shown by the statement “the word of the Lord”. In chapter 1 the order to rebuild the temple was given. It was destroyed prior to the captivity of Israel. In only one month of receiving the message they became discouraged. There are some principles here that apply to us. It’s easy to become discouraged with all that’s been going on. We all want things to go well for us, but it doesn’t always go that way.
God asked some questions first. Who is here that remembers the old temple? This was Solomon’s temple. This is where God met with his people. It was beautiful. Only the ones over 70 years old would remember it because the captivity lasted this long. So do you remember how it used to be? Reflection is good sometimes. Then he asked how is it now? It was rubble. Therein lies discouragement, but this is not the end of the story. So evaluate where you are and determine where you’re going. Verse 4 says Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts. He told the people to be strong. He said it three times. Opposition is coming. We can see it. God says the same thing to us. Be strong. Don’t waiver. Then he said for them to work. Be strong and get to work. Get up and do what God wants you to do. God is with us. Look back at the end of verse 5. Fear not. Don’t let what’s happening around you get to you. God promised to shake the nations again. He promised to be with them. He will be with us as well.
God’s going to shake the world again. We must remember that God is in control. Things will turn out the way God wants. Sadly, many people will go into destruction. So what’s the task for us? Build the church. What can’t be shaken will remain. Be part of that which remains through faith in Jesus Christ. The glory of the latter will be greater and there will be peace. Trust God. Be strong. Work. Fear not.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 