God Speaks
The LORD Admonishes His People to Rebuild His House; They Fear Him and Obey
Verse of the Day: [May the LORD God’s people return to fearing and obeying Him.] Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. (Haggai 1:12 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Haggai 1-2:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Haggai 1 and 2 will be viewed as a unit.
1. God’s Spirit has always been with the people who follow Him and His ways; therefore, they should not be afraid.
2. People should commit themselves to working for God (not out of duty but out of devotion), putting Him first in their lives.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Haggai 1-2?
O great and awesome God, I confess that I have put the cares and concerns of my own life ahead of building Your “house” or kingdom. It has not worked out well. I’m never really satisfied. LORD, at various times in my life, You have used hunger, thirst, illness, or lack of money or resources to get my attention. Holy Spirit, help me to reset my priorities so that I can begin again to fear the LORD and obey the messages You put in the Bible. Reignite my enthusiasm for the things of God and God Himself. Help me to remember that You are always with me, LORD. If I don’t keep my focus on You, everything I do and everything I offer will be defiled by sin. However, if I think carefully and live in trusting obedience, You promise to bless me and use me (and others who will do likewise) to shake the earth, overthrow royal thrones, and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms (demonic forces of evil). You will bless and honor those You have chosen to bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Haggai 1-2? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will set aside a day when I can be alone with the LORD and give careful thought to my ways.
- I will consider my priorities in life. What am I devoting my time and attention to? How is it working out?
- I will join with other believers to “build the house of the LORD.”
- I will search the scriptures to learn what pleases and honors God, then do it.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.