Giving Careful Thought …
This Sunday as we get to gather again face-to-face, we’re continuing our journey through the (not so) Minor Prophets where our focus turns to the book of Haggai.
In our materialistic age and in this moment of re-emerging from lockdown, I get the sense that it could be very easy for us as God’s people to lose sight of gospel priorities and focus on personal agendas as we try to work out where we devote our energy. Have you ever questioned why you should financially support missionaries, prioritise prayer meetings, or turn up to a church working bee? If you’ve ever struggled with the tension between kingdom sacrifice and prioritising your own personal needs, Haggai has a timely word.
Haggai’s audience was the faithful ones who left Babylon. Having denied themselves, they returned to Zion and began rebuilding the temple. This remnant put God’s kingdom ahead of their own personal comfort—at least in the early days. Now, after more than a decade of labour and toil, the people are discouraged and conclude, “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord” (1:2). Can you blame them? They were few in number, exhausted, and had little to show for it.
And so with a focus that had drifted from rebuilding the temple to their own homes. God says to them, “Is it time for you to dwell in your panelled houses, whilst this house lies in ruin? Now therefore, consider your ways” (1:4–5).
Haggai challenges us by asking, are we seeking first the kingdom of God, or our own pleasures and comfort? Haggai reminds us that when we prioritise his kingdom, all else will be given to us (Mt. 6:33).
And in this moment of small things, where gospel labour seems to bear little fruit compared to past revivals and reformation: in this context, we may be tempted to despair and lose heart. But Haggai reminds us not to focus on external realities and instead to trust in the LORD, remembering that our labour in the LORD is never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). God will surely receive greater glory- so don’t be discouraged by outward appearance as the best is yet to come. As we focus on God’s kingdom and gospel priorities, Haggai will remind us of God’s promised presence for he was looking forward to what God would do in the midst of the people.
As we emerge from the strange days of prolonged lockdown, and as we re-evaluate our priorities, Haggai reaffirms that God is still working out his promises—and from our vantage point, we know these are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.