By Rev. Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
Introduction
- Haggai comes at a time when the building of the temple had been neglected. As a result, the people were going through struggles of life for neglecting God's work.
- The people were busy with their projects. They dedicated all their time and resources to their projects while God's house lay in ruin.
- The focus had moved to their own projects of beautifying their houses while the temple building was abandoned and neglected for 16 years. It was not time yet because they were busy with their own projects.
- He challenged the people. They obeyed and experienced God's blessing upon them. The issue was not time but priority. Their projects took priority over God's work.
- We always have time for what is important to us. We appropriate time to whatever we consider to be of priority
As we can see
- The people were busy with their own programs and progress not prioritizing God and his work.
- They had turned their focus entirely away from the spiritual goal and towards their own personal desires and needs as we do today
We learn the following lessons
1. God and his work must be prioritized
Haggai 1:4 Paneled houses
One of the main reasons the people neglected the temple construction, was because they had become too busy with their own interests. They were very busy beautifying their own houses with lovely panels of cider and wood but had left God's house in a very wanting status or in ruins. Haggai insisted that God and his work had to come first and even today it should be the same.
We must be very careful not to let our own interests and concern get into the way of our relationship with God and his work. His purposes must be the first priority in our lives (Matt. 6:33)
Notice how Jesus was so passionate about God's house and work. John 2:17; 4:34; 6:38; 9:4
Our priorities in life are seen in the things we give our time, attention and resources to. These are a good sign of where our hearts are and how much we really love God.
Remember everything we have is from God be it is resources or time.
We should use it for His Glory. God should come first. The tendency is to put our issues first and God second. We are simply saying it is not yet time because we have other things that we value more and comes first.
It's amazing how our projects are always going on. We always have time and resources for what is of importance to us. We always have school fees, rents, petty projects, Chama and whatever we seem important. But we never have money and time for church projects and ministry
Some of us by God's grace have done mega projects and that's great. It is not because we had money but we made them a priority. By faith, we started and completed them to our amazement. We have done studies, bought plots, build, farming, and bought assets of worth.
Amazingly we never have such money or faith when it comes to God's work. Some of us are adding to what we have accomplished but we feel it is not yet time for God's project. We must continue planning and progressing in our life without neglecting God's work.
We must give God and his work priority if we want Him to make us His priority. As we get busy with our work, let's also get busy with God and His work.
Anytime we make ourselves a priority, giving to God and work is an inconvenience and should wait.
2. Priorities determine progress
Haggai 1:6-11 have sowed much and harvested little, give a careful thought.
Though the people may have been working very hard, they were not enjoying the success they could have. They had lost God’s blessing because their lives were self-centred. They showed little interest in God's goals and purposes.
We cannot expect to experience God's blessing and help in our lives if we are not concerned with and active in his work. This includes full participation in and contributing towards ministry efforts and church projects.
We will struggle and miss fulfilment and satisfaction. We will have what we want but it will never give us the desire we long for or the happiness we want. We will just have it but we will be left with emptiness inside our heart.
Haggai 1:10 When there is drought there is scarcity and great struggles no matter our hard work.
3. Obedience attracts blessing
Haggai 1:12-13- The leaders and people responded with great reverence for God. They took the message seriously and immediately they committed themselves to work
Haggai 1:13 I am with you
God responded to the people's obedience by promising to be with them.
It is the highest commitment God can make to a man. Gen: 26:24; 28:15; 39:2 Matt.28:20.
He strengthened their determination and helped them accomplish the work. We can be assured if we obey God's word and direction, He will enable us to do it regardless of our own understanding and abilities.
Haggai 1:14 God stirred up the heart s of the people and they began the work
when we show willingness and are ready to step out in faith, God immediately empowers us with divine enablement such that we can do what seemed impossible.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
“Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God:
4. Be strong, don’t fear
In chapter 2 and 3, the completed house looked like nothing in comparison to the former temple. It was very discouraging but God told them to be encouraged.
It may have seemed like nothing in the physical eyes but with God, His spirit and his covenant with them, there was a great spiritual victory. Its glory was going to be greater than the former one
You may look at the figures KES 31 million in comparison with our number or your income and may fear or get discouraged. But be strong God is with us. We are not on our own.
We have his presence, providence, promises and protection.
Joshua 1:9
[9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
5. God will get it done
Chapter 2:6-7 God says he will shake the heavens and earth and the treasures of the nations will come in.
God will move people outside this church and even from other nations to give and participate in this project. God is going to move even the non-believers to give for this work.
Remember in Haggai 1:8. Gold and silver are his and he will get it as he wants
Matthew 16:18- And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
6. Be ready to experience a greater glory
Haggai 2:9 As we obey and build this sanctuary, we will experience a greater glory. Our lives can never be the same. People are going to be blessed.
Leviticus 26:3-10
Get ready to build Get ready for God to build you.
Comments
Post a Comment