October 1 - Haggai 1-2
Haggai might be the most positive message among all of the prophets, because the people listened to the Word of the Lord, and they were blessed. This is a big change from the norm, but it shows us what is possible, if we turn to the Lord. I pray that this short book was an encouragement to you.
Haggai prophesied after the exile, when the people had returned to rebuild the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. They selfishly began by building very nice houses for themselves, but the Lord's House was left unfinished. Therefore, God had to punish them with a drought. He caused all of their work to come to little or nothing. They earned money, but they were not able to see it grow. He made sure it disappeared like putting it in a bag with holes in it. This was God's way of getting their attention. Then Haggai came to deliver God's message about why this was happening. Do you see this pattern in your life? I think we all do. There are times when we do not make any progress or even go backward. God is trying to tell us something important.
Then, the people listened to Haggai's message from God, and they began to rebuild the Temple. Haggai 2:18,19 tells us that once they completed the foundation, God sent word to them that His blessings would begin again, because of their faithfulness, and one day the Temple would be filled with His glory. This is so encouraging to us. They did not have to finish the work to be blessed. They just had to obey God. The blessings come when we are following God on a daily basis, and He sees that we are serious about doing what He tells us to do. Isn't that wonderful? Anyone can do that, can't they? God is so good!
Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 1-4.
Haggai prophesied after the exile, when the people had returned to rebuild the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. They selfishly began by building very nice houses for themselves, but the Lord's House was left unfinished. Therefore, God had to punish them with a drought. He caused all of their work to come to little or nothing. They earned money, but they were not able to see it grow. He made sure it disappeared like putting it in a bag with holes in it. This was God's way of getting their attention. Then Haggai came to deliver God's message about why this was happening. Do you see this pattern in your life? I think we all do. There are times when we do not make any progress or even go backward. God is trying to tell us something important.
Then, the people listened to Haggai's message from God, and they began to rebuild the Temple. Haggai 2:18,19 tells us that once they completed the foundation, God sent word to them that His blessings would begin again, because of their faithfulness, and one day the Temple would be filled with His glory. This is so encouraging to us. They did not have to finish the work to be blessed. They just had to obey God. The blessings come when we are following God on a daily basis, and He sees that we are serious about doing what He tells us to do. Isn't that wonderful? Anyone can do that, can't they? God is so good!
Tomorrow, I intend to read Zechariah 1-4.