“Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God’s people began to obey the message from the Lord their God. When they heard the words of the prophet Haggai, whom the Lord their God had sent, the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave the people this message from the Lord: “I am with you, says the Lord!” So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, on September 21 of the second year of King Darius’s reign.”
Haggai 1:12-15 NLT
There is a particular order to observe in this passage that would be useful for Christians to take heed of. First is the call to confess and repentance. Once the repentance is practiced, then assurance is given. After the assurance comes the empowerment to continue on. Too many Christians wait for God to stir their hearts emotionally before practicing repentance. They don’t understand that emotional confirmation is the direct result of obedience to his calling. It does not proceed it. Our responsibility is to let our minds be stirred by the revelation of his words. When our actions conform to our minds, God will provide physically and emotionally. It is telling that stuffed into this passage is the idea of his ever presentness among us. So many want to feel that presence, not realizing that the emotionality of comfort and assurance can be experienced reliably because our God’s behavior is consistent. We can know from his character here, how he will behave with us in our needy times too. Let us rely on God fully. Let us give our minds and our actions to him first, and then the peace that surpasses all understanding will wash over us in our troubles.
JOSH McGARY. COM 