Thought for September 27, 2024

• 1822: Rosetta Stone used to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics
• 1892: Book matches patented by Diamond Match Company
• 1905: E=mc square introduced in Einstein's paper " Does the Inertia of a Body Depend Upon its Energy Content?"
• 1908: First Model T leaves Ford plant
• 1912: WC Handy publishes "Memphis Blues"
• 1930: Bobby Jones wins his 5th US Amateur
• 1938: Jewish lawyers prohibited from practicing in Germany
• 1954: "The Tonight Show" premiers [Steve Allen]
• 1962: Rachel Carson publishes "Silent Spring"
• Born Samuel Adams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Meat Loaf, Kathy Whitworth, Mike Schmidt, 
• Dies: Edgar Degas, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Clara Bow, Jimmy Doolittle, Hugh Hefner, Urban VII [after serving 13 days as Pope, shortest papacy]

Thought:

Continuing reading in Haggai this morning. Yesterday I was "considering my ways." Today, reading 1:12-2:9. How did the people respond to Haggai's sermon and the Lord's words? They obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and showed Him reverence. [1:12] Think about how simple that is. What if I simply obeyed the Lord and gave Him reverence? How would my life change? How would He bless? But sometimes it is hard to obey for the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Look at what the Lord says about that--"I am with you." Larry, you don't have to obey in your own strength--I am with you. I am with you when things are hard and choices are difficult. I am with you when you lack wisdom and courage. I am with you---that is all you need. And then notice that God stirs up the spirit of the people. [1:14] For us, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to remind us, encourage us, give us boldness, provide power and wisdom. 

So the people return to the construction of the Temple after a 16 year break. Haggai spoke on the first day of the sixth month [September] [1:1]. Construction resumes on the 24th day of the sixth month. [1:15] But by the 21st day of the seventh month [October], less than 30 days later, there was a problem. Some of the people remembered the Temple that was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 [Haggai is speaking in about 520]. As they look at the simple Temple being constructed and think about the glorious former Temple, they feel defeated and sad. [2:3] This sounds like me and some of you thinking about the good old days. Really, were they that good. But Paul reminds us to forget what lies behind and press on toward our goal. Paul learned that from God who speaks in verses 4-9. Stop worrying about what used to be--

• Take courage. [2:4] I always like this challenge. I need courage and encouragement. Where do I turn to get it--God says come to me and take some courage. Courage built on My promises, My power, My wisdom, My strength. 
• Work. [2:4] Get busy, stop whining. We are His workmanship, created in Christ for good works. 
• I am with you. [1:4] What a promise. God says to me, Larry, you get busy doing my work and I'll be with you every moment of every day. I will guide and direct the work, I will give your the resources for the work. I will give you the time for the work. Just work.
• Don't fear. [2:5] You will have opposition, but don't be afraid because My Spirit is in you. I have given you a Spirit of power and not fear. And if I am with you, who do you fear?
• You are worried that the new Temple will not compare to the old Temple. Don't worry. God owns all the gold and silver. All the resources you need for His work He already owns. When God is in His Temple, His glory makes the glory of man seem dull and insignificant. And read verse 9--the glory of God's house will make Solomon's Temple look shabby. Think about the picture of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21. 

Now how does this passage impact me today. I need to get to work for the Lord, encouraged by His promises, powered by His Spirit and presence, certain of His provision. 

Blessings

Larry