Haggai ministered after the initial return from exile, in 520 BC. Haggai scolds the people for rebuilding their own houses but leaving God’s house (the Temple) in ruins. After having suffered the exile, the people actually listen to the prophet this time!
They hear him say, “Do you think the time is right for you to live in secure and lavishly covered homes when My house still lies in a heap of rubble?”
Even though the new temple is far less grand than Solomon’s old one, God promises to bless it with his presence. Haggai reminds us not to let physical comforts get in the way of spiritual priorities.
We seem to be living in a “me-first-era,” where the notion of repentance and taking responsibility seems to evade our 21st century minds.
A man was praying with his pastor at the altar. He prayed a prayer the pastor had heard many times before. “Lord, take the cobwebs out of my life.” Just as he said this the pastor interrupted, “Kill the spider, Lord.”
Many times we ask the Lord to forgive us of some sin, yet we leave the source of temptation in our life and we remain in our own comfort zone. Like the people of Haggai’s day we seem adept at keeping God at arm’s length that allows us to keep up our veneers…to manage our image, to make everyone think that our spiritual lives came from John Lewis, when in reality we would be lucky if they met the Cheap-Jack-Stall standards. I am thankful for the Humility do the manger and its invasion of my spiritual comfort zones as well.
What was it that John Betjeman wrote, “No carolling in frosty air, Nor all the steeple-shaking bells, Can with this single Truth compare - That God was man in Palestine. And lives today in Bread and Wine”
Ever present Lord, please help me to hear Your call to me and give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and say yes to You today. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen.
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