Haggai 2:6-9 - “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
God has ways of shaking the world when He is up to something big. For instance, He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross and also when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. There was nothing coincidental about the seismic activity that accompanied those two events. They were none-too-subtle messages: Pay attention because important things are happening!
Today, the ground may not be moving, but God is certainly doing some shaking. Political alliances, financial systems, and ethical standards are all being allowed to wobble. We are seeing the flimsiness and decay of structures upon which we’ve based national pride and hope. Even personal lives are not immune to shock waves. Families are in crisis, and many marriages are buckling. Sadly, people have built lives on the weak cornerstones of human wisdom, goodness, and ingenuity. But there is only one secure foundation: Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11).
God always has a purpose for permitting upheaval in His ordered creation. Among other things, He is shaking the church out of its apathy and self-focus, reminding believers not to trust in the temporary structures of this world. Rather, we are to rest upon the safe and firm foundation provided by God’s love, salvation, and kingdom here on earth.
As the Lord’s ambassadors on earth—and the only ones standing on firm ground—we have a responsibility to offer real hope to those whose moorings have come loose. No job, government, or even religion can give a person long-term security. A relationship with the sovereign Lord Jesus Christ is the only lasting refuge.
5 comments:
"we have a responsibility to offer real hope" that we is us fellas.
amen
cas
Amen. We are responsible for our actions. And wasn't the message a couple of days ago about actions speak louder than words?
Point taken. It's very easy to sit on the sidelines. I pray that we all gain strength from our Lord Jesus, that we would act on His behalf in those situations that come up where we could say nothing or do nothing; or we could stand firm in our faith and speak up on His behaf.
In His Name,
Amen
What a perspective...this line jumped out at me...
And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
God is emphatic about offering peace. We have the priviledge of being being Ambassadors of Peace!!
This lesson could be repeated over and over in my life. It is so easy to get "crooked" in this life. So many distractions and temptations. God is shaking how my family spends their time. It is very uncomfortable right now between my wife and I as we prayerfully try to decide how to reorganize all the busy time. I pray Lord you guide us through this process and only make us stronger for Your Glory. Amen gch
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