The Lord’s Assurance
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…the entire remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of the prophet Haggai…So the people feared the Lord. Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, delivered the Lord’s message to the people, “I am with you”—this is the Lord’s declaration.” Haggai 1:12,13 HCSB
Throughout scripture we see the simple concept. When the Lord is “with” His people or working with any chosen individual, great things are accomplished. When disobedience and rebellion separates us from the Lord, life is hard.
That was what the prophet Haggai pointed out to God’s people who had neglected to move ahead in rebuilding the Temple. They focused on their own needs, but neglected the Lord’s house. As a result, the Lord says,
“Think carefully about your ways: You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it.” (Haggai 1:6 HCSB)
The first lesson we observe is that an open and responsive heart brings the Lord’s encouragement. The people respond to the Lord’s message with repentance and resolve. As a result, the Lord speaks four simple words of encouragement in recognition of their heart change, “I am with you.” To put the situation in context, the people had stopped the work on the Temple as a result of the King’s command due to the accusations of their enemies. But now in the Lord’s time, it was their time to resume the work fearing the Lord, over any opposition that would come their way.
As the people began the work and became overwhelmed they were to remember, “God is with us.” If they faced ridicule and false accusations they were to remember, “God is with us.” If they faced threats from the “government” they were to remember, “God is with us.”
The we see a second occurrence of the Lord’s encouragement to finish the work. As the people were observing the results of their efforts, they realized the Temple they were building was going to be nothing like the one that had been destroyed. But the Lord spoke them in their midst of their discouragement and said,
“Be strong, all you people of the land”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Work! For I am with you”—the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.” (Haggai 2:4 HCSB)
The Lord goes on and says that His glory will be among them and in the new Temple. The outward structure may look difference, but God’s glory and presence would remain firm and consistent.
I believe these two affirmations of the Lord’s presence are important for our lives today. The Lord reminds His people that “He is with” them as they commit to the work and as they need strength to finish the work. I am reminded of the words of Paul, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
The Lord who is “with us” will remain “with us” and continue to provide in our lives what we need. That is a good personal reminder for me. The song by Love and the Outcome that is entitled, “God is With Us” became a theme song during my health crisis. Now that I am still in the “recovery mode” I need to remember that the Lord is still with me, working on my behalf.
Prayer for today…Â Lord thank You for Your promise to be “with us.” Allow that reassurance to be a source of strength, courage and persistence for our lives as You continue Your work in each of us.