The people's response was obedience. They feared God and obeyed Him. As they were working, Jehovah sent a simple message through Haggai, "I am with you" (Hag 1:13).
When the temple was completed, those who remembered the glory of the previous temple, realized that this restoration was nothing in comparison.
What was the message from the LORD?
"Be strong...Work, for I am with you...according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not" (2:4-5).
The temple was a sign of God's presence with His people. But it was also a sign of their obedience. God commanded them to finish it and they did. He reminded them of His presence while they were building and again when it was completed.
God promises to provide and to protect His people. He encourages them to stand firm and to work.
How often we want the provision and protection without the work!
Yet, God doesn't make the provision and protection dependent on the work. He doesn't say, "If you work hard enough, I'll protect you from enemy attack. If you stand firm, I'll make sure there is plenty of food on your table." He's not like people who expect us to do something to get a benefit.
God works differently than that. He makes His promises. Because He is God we know that He is able and will keep His promises.
Standing firm and working are the responses to the God who makes promises. Because God has said that He will provide for all my needs, I can do what He wants me to do. I don't have to worry about going hungry, so I can share with others. I can give generously.
Remembering God's promises of protection and provision, I can stand firm and work. I don't do those things to earn God's protection and provision. But because God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do, I can be what He wants me to be and do what He wants me to do.
There's no reason not to trust and obey.
No comments:
Post a Comment