When Things Aren't Going So Well

O. T. #2258  "When Things Aren't Going So Well"

August 16, 2022

Haggai 1-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

In verses 1-15, we read of the first message Haggai had from God to the Jews. It was an in-between time, about 10 years after the rebuilding work on the Temple had ceased. They were at a low spiritually and the prophet was commissioned to rebuke the Jews for their indifference. God told His people twice to consider their ways. (verses 5,7) They were simply going through the motions of life. So God commissioned them with 3 instructions:

1. The command to repent (verse 7)
2. To gather materials (verse 8)
3. The explanation of the lack of blessing (verses 9-11).

Israel had lost the focus of their purpose of returning to Jerusalem in the first place-rebuild the Temple. the Temple was where God's presence dwelt. Obedience to Jehovah was to have priority in their life, which was not. So Gpod told the Jews to go up to the mountains and bring down the wood in order to build His house. Then, God would take pleasure in it and be glorified. When God leads, we obey, He provides, then He is glorified. Why would God take pleasure in it? Because His people would then have a heart right with Him.

Is there something lacking in our walk of faith?

LET IT GROW

Just last month, our area was in a terrible drought. The grasslands had turned yellow. The cattle would soon have to be fed hay that was saved for the winter feed. Farmers in Texas were selling off their cattle. (Their drought had started a month earlier than ours.) So what? That meant beef on the table would become very expensive for the city dwellers. Water would become scarce for all animals, including chickens. We were headed for hard time, folks. I kept praying for God's mercy. Finally, He did. Now I look out over the fields and hills and see greenery. May we not forget God's faithfulness and provisions like the Jews had. Without His sending rain and sunshine, our food dries up, just as my blackberries did.

Why were the Jews unable to prosper in the land? Verse 9 tells us God's judgment was upon them because His house lay in waste. What they did came to nought-not blessed by God. Their priorities were all wrong. Instead of tending to God's business, they were tending to their own. To put it simply, the Jews were oblivious to the sad condition of God's house. 

Therefore, God had to get the Jew's attention, wake them up. There was no dew nor rain, but a drought. It affected the crops and food for man and cattle. Once again, man and animals suffered due to man's sin.

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

I like how Tony Evans put it: Sometimes Christians call the negative circumstances in their lives "bad luck," but don't disconnect God from your mess. If there is calamity in your world, it didn't happen because of impersonal forces operating on the universe. God called for it. When you return to God, and invite Him to operate in your midst, it won't stress you out when trials come. You'll know this truth first hand: God is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

Are things going bad? In other words, is there something we are to repent of in our life? Have Bible study and prayer taken a backseat in our busy world? Have we missed more worship services than attended lately?

LET IT GO!