HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
“ 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.” — Haggai 2:9
You’ve probably experienced a season of God-ordained struggle, a time when there was a chill in the corner office, a dent in the savings account, a downturn. Often these days exist for a purpose: to turn our hearts back to God. Sometimes it takes a tragedy for us to hit our knees. How many of you have been in that situation?
This is what the Israelites of Haggai’s day needed. Charged by God to rebuild the temple, they had abandoned the task, distracted by worldly things. God’s big thing became a small thing for them. And like today the same thing is happening to the church because of individuality within the gathering. The church appears to be in reverse and members are enjoying the successes. God is still watching and waiting for us to return to the love we once had and that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The prophet Haggai was sent to remind them of their work: “ Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.” (Haggai 1:8). And he was sent to convey a promise: “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.” (Haggai 2:9).
When nothing quenches your deepest thirsts when droughts turn your fields into deserts and retirements into pocket change, what can you do? Evaluate your priorities: Is God’s big thing my big thing?
The Lord stirred up the leadership of His people, and they got to work on His temple. He blessed their renewed spirit. “Then spake Haggai the Lord‘s messenger in the Lord‘s message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord.” (Haggai 1:13) and in (Haggai 2:4) 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: He twice assured them.
He is with you too. It’s not too late to start again. The glory of the latter temple will be greater than the former. Or, in your case, the glory of the latter career, the latter years, will be greater than the former. Turn your heart back to Him.
In God’s plan, the future is always brighter and tomorrow always has the potential to outshine today.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1–3
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:34
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:21–22
Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Revelation 2:4-5
Lord, You dwelt in the Holy of Holies to be a presence among Your people, the Israelites. Now, You dwell in our hearts. You are always with us.
It’s easy for me to get distracted by my own desires and temptations. But my efforts are always fruitless when they are apart from You and Your will. Forgive me for the times when I misplace my priorities.
Give me a renewed passion for my calling, for my first love. You and Your church. Reorder my priorities so that You are always first. Give me hope for tomorrow, and help me believe that the best really is yet to come when I am working alongside You.
Thank You for choosing to dwell among us, first in Your temple and now, through Christ, in my heart. I praise You because it is never too late for me to start again. Amen.
