Our Daily Scripture – 2/8/25 (Saturday)

HAGGAI 2

THE PROMISED GLORY OF THE NEW HOUSE (vs. 1-9)

The Lord told Haggai to tell Zerubbabel, Joshua and the remnant of the people to be strong for He is with them and do not fear because His spirit remained among them.  The Lord Almighty proclaimed that this present heaven will be greater than the glory of the forever home.  And there will be great peace in this place.

BLESSINGS FOR THE DEFILED PEOPLE (vs. 10- 19)

Despite of being a defiled people, the Lord Almighty told them to give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid.  Then He will start to bless them.

ZERUBBABEL THE LORD’S SIGNET RING (vs. 20-21)

Things that God will do:

  1.  I will shake the heavens and the earth. (v. 21)
  2.  I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. (v. 22a)
  3.  I will overthrow chariots and their drivers, horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. (v. 22b)
  4.  I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel and make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you. (v. 23)

THOUGHTS:

God gave these three messages:

  1.  Be strong. (v. 4)
  2.  Do not be defiled. (vs. 13-14)
  3.  Be encouraged. (v. 23)

While rebuilding the temple, God had the gold and silver, but He needed willing hands to do it.  If God has provide you the resources, are you willing to do the work of God in this world?

The holy God demands us not to be tainted by sin and selfish attitude.  We need to be cleansed by repentance and obedience to His word.  We must not maintain close relationship with sinful people so that we will not be defiled.  We need the Lord to empower us in our holy living.

When the people relaid the temple foundation, God immediately blessed them even the project was not completed yet.  God will send encouragement and approval with our first obedient step and He will bless us.

God closed his message to Zerubbabel :  “I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you” (v. 23).  May this motivate us to work for the Lord.  For he will provide strength and guidance if we give him first place in our life.