Doing Great Things

O. T. #2260 "Doing Great Things"

August 18, 2022

Haggai 2

LET IT GLOW

don't we older folks have a tendency to look back at the "Good Ole' Days" instead of the present or the future?  It seems to be a common thing in churches, too. It sticks in our mind when things were going good back then. Do we not realize that it could be going good today, also? God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Well, it's one thing to get a work started, but another thing to keep it going. It took 23 days for the  materials to be gathered, preparing the site, and get the workers working. (1:15)

In chapter 2, Haggai delivered his second message. Again, God told the prophet to speak to Governor Zerubbabel, High Priest Joshua, and the people. They were to look up, look within, and look ahead.  The problem was the older men were looking back. They had seen the exquisite Temple built by Solomon before it was destroyed. What a contrast it was with the construction site that lay before them. Haggai rejoiced that the work had begun again instead of weeping over the past. What was significant to that date was it was the during the Feast of Tabernacles when King Solomon dedicated the original Temple. (1 Kings 8:2)

According to Liberty Bible Commentary, there were 5 glories present in Solomon's Temple which were lacked in Zerubbabel's Temple:

1. the Ark of the Covenant
2. the holy fire
3. the shekinah glory
4. the spirit of prophecy
5. the Urim and Thummim.

Even though it was all lacking, that was no reason for discouragement or stopping the new work. The new Temple was still God's house to be built according to His plan and for His glory. That meant they had to rely more on their God.

LET IT GROW

Instead of looking back, the Jews needed to look up and they would find:

• Encouragement in God's presence with them; Since it was God's work, they could rely on Him to help them finish the Temple. Haggai told the people (as a message from God) to "Be strong and work for God is with them." 
• Fear not. God had faithfully kept His covenant with them as with Moses. Be assured that God was with Israel.

We have a tendency to look at the externals instead of focusing on the faithfulness of God. that was the way with Israel. People have not changed down through the centuries. but that is where faith kicks in. When we know God is leading us in a direction, then we can trust Him to provide along the way, so His will and plan is accomplished.

What a blessing it is to watch God work on our behalf. We must be careful to give Him the glory for the things He has done.

 LET IT GO

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Let the earth hear His voice.

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Let the people rejoice.

Oh, come to the Father through Jesus the Son and give Him the glory, great things He hath done!