First, the Lord speaks to
Haggai (Haggai 2:1). Then, Haggai speaks for God (Haggai 2:2). "The
faithful few who returned from Babylon" (Haggai 2:2) - Even if we are
few, let us remain faithful. God calls us to "be strong" (Haggai 2:4).
He says to us, "Work, because I am with you" (Haggai 2:4). He gives us
His strength. He calls us to use His strength in His service. God looks
beyond what we are in ourselves. He looks on to what we will become
through His strength. He says to us, "Is there any seed left in the
barn? The vines, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree still
haven't produced" -This is the fruitless life, the life that is lived
in our own strength. "But from now on, I will bless you" - This is the
fruitful life, the life that is lived in the strength of the Lord. For
the work of the Lord to be established, there needs to be the tearing
down of the work of man - "I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and
destroy the power of nations. I will overthrow chariots and their
riders, and the horses will fall along with their riders" (Haggai 2:22).
When the work of Satan is torn down, the work of the Lord begins - "a
new creation. All things have passed away. All things have become new"
(2 Corinthians 5:17).
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation 21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be ...
Comments
Post a Comment