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, (Haggai 1:14 NLT)
Today’s devotion is written by our great mate Luke Taylor – He’s an awesome worship leader, passionate Christ follower, brilliant Youth Pastor and just a great guy! Here goes:
I have found the principles to be true in my life; building God's House brings my life great satisfaction.
The chapter highlights that the Israelites returning from exile had been busy rebuilding their homes and lifestyles but had yet to get to God's Temple, which lay in ruins.
While they busily went about their business a growing dissatisfaction to the routine of life was creeping in. God speaks through the Prophet Haggai and highlights that this dissatisfaction, a planting with little harvest and pockets filled with holes (vs 6), had come due to their inward, self focus.
They had excused their lack of attention to the Temple with petty excuses but God was here calling them to build his house. The chapter ends with the repeated phrase ‘the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of…'
Their immediate response to get to work on God's house lifts their dissatisfaction, and gives their lives great purpose and meaning.
I have noticed in the short time that I have lived, that every time I centre my focus on building my own metaphorical house I always come up short, feeling dissatisfied. But every day that I set aside my excuses and build the House of God, my enthusiasm is sparked and life finds its purpose. We are in a sense a bunch of flawed, misfits charged with the task of building God's Church today, but like this remanent of Israelites we are called by God to get to work.
I'll leave you with these questions:
Have you ever felt like your pockets were filled with holes?
What is your excuse for not building the House of God?