Haggai 2 "Be Strong"

 'Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' saith the Lord; 'and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land,' saith the Lord, 'and work, for I am with you,' saith the Lord of hosts. According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you. Fear ye not.' (vv.4-5)

Here the Lord speaks through Haggai the above words of encouragement concerning the rebuilding of the temple; "be strong, and work." In other words, don't worry about the outcome, just remember your labor for the Lord is never in vain. For what is the most splendid cathedral if God is not in it, influencing all by his presence and Spirit? Nothing. 

No doubt the older returnees from exile, possibly including Haggai himself, remembered the original glory of Solomon’s temple. Unquestionably the new temple was nowhere near as splendid as the old one (v. 3). God knew it, the people knew it, and the leaders knew it. Furthermore, the book of Ezra records that when the new temple was dedicated, shouts of joy were mixed with sounds of weeping (3:10-13). Feeling discouraged was a natural result of recalling the nation’s and temple’s former glory, and why it had been lost—because of their sin and God’s judgment of conquest and exile.

In the face of these very human emotions, God Himself encouraged the people to “be strong” or “take courage” (v. 4, Josh. 1:6-7). The size and beauty of the temple wasn’t the point. The point was that God was their God, and He was with them once again—the same God who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and shepherded them throughout their history (v. 5). Their responsibility was faithfully to do the work of rebuilding, not to mope around comparing their lives to the supposed “good old days.”

In other words, do not let a few critics discourage you. The chief glory of the temple is not the splendor of the building, but His presence within it - "As I covenanted to be with you when you came out of Egypt, so I will fulfill My covenant; for My Spirit remains among you, fear not." (Exodus 29:45-46).

The Truth: "This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 8:9)

Haggai 1 "Consider Your Ways"

 “Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!” (v.7)

Haggai was the first prophet to speak to Israel after the people returned from exile in Babylon. the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem was high on God’s priority list. And through the prophet Haggai this work would begin. But, after a good start on the temple, the exiles became preoccupied with building their own houses, and work on the temple stopped for about fifteen years.

This was not what God intended. The temple was central to Israel’s worship, the place where God came to live among His people. By neglecting to complete its construction the people were reflecting a deep problem of spiritual apathy, to say nothing of disobedience. The real problem was that they were too busy increasing their own comfort—building and living in their own "paneled houses" (1:4)—to give any time or effort to constructing the house of God. 

Haggai then spoke to all the people, condemning their spiritual indifference and self–centeredness. Their present circumstances revealed that God was not blessing such actions (v. 6): Harvests were small. There were shortages of food and clothing. They were unable to save money and inflation was a problem. They were living hand–to–mouth—it was as though their purses had holes in the bottom! So through the prophet Haggai, God told them, "Consider your ways!" 

They needed to put God first and gather building supplies for the new temple (v. 8). Once they straightened out their priorities, He would bless the work of their hands (vv. 9–11).

Similarly God wants us also to give careful thought to our actions, our words, and our relationships, and make decisions that bring glory to Him. Therefore, whatever you do each day, give it careful thought and "consider your ways."

The Truth: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’ (Matthew 6:33)

Hebrews 13 “Brotherly Love”

 "Let brotherly love continue" (v.1)

Love is the ID card of the Christian. It is the outward sign to those around us that we identify with Christ. The Apostle Paul describes this kind of brotherly love in first letter to the Corinthians, "Love like this suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

This is the type of love that allows us to have peace in the middle of the storms and trials of life. It binds us together and draws others to it. It flows from outward from His saints and shows itself to strangers, those in bonds, and hurting physically. It brings true contentment and satisfaction, because His Spirit is within us. And, most importantly, it never fails.

I pray that your life would be marked with His love, so that others may see that in you, and be drawn to Him through your life. Amen.

The Truth:

"For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." (1 John 3:11)

Hebrews 12 "Run Your Race"

 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (vv.1-3)

Have you ever felt like you were not making progress in a certain area in your life and considered quitting? I recently came across this story and thought I would share it with you all.

Hours behind the runner in front of him, the last marathoner finally entered the Olympic stadium. By that time, the drama of the day’s event was almost over and most of the spectators had gone home. This athlete’s story, however, was still being played out. Limping into the arena, the Tanzanian runner grimaced with every step, his knee bleeding and bandaged from an earlier fall. His ragged appearance immediately caught the attention of the remaining crowd, who cheered him on to the finish line. Why did he stay in the race? What made him endure his injuries to the end? When asked these questions later, he replied, My country did not send me 7,000 miles away to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it!

Life can be your own personal marathon wearing you down, making you feel overworked, overstressed, overwhelmed. But be encouraged, God is with you, strengthening your feeble knees and moving you in the right direction to finish your race. Just when you think you can’t run any further He will be there to encourage you, through His Word, every step of the way. You may be wounded right now from an earlier fall, and may feel like there’s just no way you can make it to the end, but you can in His strength.

 Therefore, run your race "keeping your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."

The Truth: "Lest us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

Hebrews 11 "The Hall of Faith"

 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (v.1)

Hebrews 11 is known as the “Hall of Faith” in Scripture. Yet interestingly, we don’t see a list of items to believe in. Instead, we see a list of people who demonstrated their faith through their obedience to God during difficult and real life situations. The faith discussed here in chapter 11 is not the sort of dreamy, make-believe stuff, nor the “name it and claim it” philosophy preached by some today. This faith is real-life stuff, the core of a life that pleases God.

Faith is a way of looking at all of life, a mindset that guides every decision we make. Our daily circumstances are part of a larger plan by which God is working out, “the hope to which he has called us” (Eph. 1:18). Because our hope is anchored in Christ, we can hold to it by faith and be sure of our future. Even though spiritual reality is unseen, faith counts it as certain.

The Truth: “Behold, I Am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for me?” (Jer. 32:27)

Hebrews 10 "Perfected Forever"

“By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (v.14)

Perfection is a standard that none of us could ever hope to attain. Yet we learn from Hebrews that Jesus, through His one supreme sacrifice for our sins, “has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (v.14).

The continual sacrifices made by the priests since the time of Moses could never change anyone’s sinful standing before God (vv.1-4). But the one-time sacrifice of Christ on the cross—the sinless One dying for the sinful—perfected us forever in the eyes of God. Jesus’ once-for-all payment for our sins was sufficient. 

We are perfected forever to stand before God because of the perfect work accomplished by Jesus on the cross. This is the assurance of our salvation. We’re far from perfection, yet perfect forever. 

The Truth: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

Hebrews 9 “The Great Sacrifice”

“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” (vv.27-28)

In spite of medical progress in prolonging life and improving its quality, the death rate remains unchanged, one death for every birth. The scriptures  confirm this in many places; "It is appointed for men to die once" (v.27), because "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23), “Adam’s sin brought death” (Romans 5:12) and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Since there is no escaping this fact, an unblemished sacrifice was essential in paying the price for man's redemption. Only the spotless Lamb, God's well-beloved Son, could atone by shedding His blood. For "Without shedding of blood is no remission," and it is "the blood that makes atonement for the soul. “God therefore “gave His only begotten Son”, so that no other sacrifice would ever be required.

Therefore, it is essential to live with the right perspective—that death follows life, and that after death comes the judgment. Everyone who trusts Christ for salvation will come forth from the grave "to the resurrection of life," but everyone who rejects Him will come forth “to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:29). For unbelievers, death seals their doom. But for believers, death leads to glory, thanks to the “great sacrifice.”

“Wise is the person who faces up to the certainty of death. And wiser still is the one who prepares for it.” -Richard De Haan

The Truth:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Hebrews 8 “The New Covenant”

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” (v.10)

The Old covenant was based on keeping rules, regulations, and presenting sacrifices through a priest to God for the forgiveness of sin. The new covenant would not be written on stone, nor scroll, but in man's heart, and placed into his mind. Meaning, deep inside our soul, God's laws would speak to us, convicting us of sin and drawing us to Him for His forgiveness.  

And what could be clearer than the teaching of verses 1-6? Jesus Christ is a High Priest who serves at God's right hand in the true tabernacle in heaven, of which the tabernacle Moses built was just a copy and a shadow. Therefore, both Jesus' ministry and His covenant are superior to the old. The blood of Christ (not of bulls or goats), opened the door for this promised covenant which included not only full forgiveness of sin (v.12), but also the promised indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Walking with the Lord in the new covenant and in His will, you don't have regulations, stipulations, obligations, which were the ways of the law. Instead, you have the leading of His Spirit guiding your heart and the promise that, “He will work within you” (Philippians 2:13).

The Truth: “I delight to do your will O my God, And Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)

Hebrews 7 “A Perpetual Priest”

“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.” (vv.1-3)

Here in our text, Jesus the high priest is likened to Melchizedek, whom we first meet in Genesis 14, when Abraham offered him tithes after defeating some foreign kings. Chapter 7 now mentions two very intriguing things about Melchizedek: first, he doesn’t have human genealogy, and second, he remains a priest forever. 

While there is much debate about this mysterious figure’s identity and nature, I believe this Melchizedek to be in reality, what is called a Christophanies, an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament, and in this case, to Abraham. Meaning, it was actually Jesus who came out to meet Abraham, who received tithes from him, and who blessed him. He also introduced himself as the priest El Elyown, the Most High God. It is also interesting that Melchizedek (Jesus) gave to Abraham bread and wine, the symbols of communion, the body and blood of our Lord (Genesis 14:18).

While we do not know much about this mysterious priest, his origin, his genealogy, his parents, what happened to him after he met with Abraham. What we do know is that this event was 400 years before Moses and the law. And that the writer refers to him as, “A priest forever.” Meaning coming from a higher order than that of Arron, who’s beginning was long before Arron existed, an order that continually abides, our great high priest, now and forever, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! 

The Truth: And he (Melchizedek) blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:19-20)

Hebrews 6 “Our Anchor of Hope”

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (vv.19-20)

Every boat owner knows that an anchor prevents drift. Here in chapter 6, the author wants us to see that our soul needs an anchor, because it also is inclined to drift. This ‘hope anchor’ is ‘both sure and steadfast.’ It is sure because it will not break, it’s steadfast because it is unmovable, and will not slip, because it is found in Jesus Christ. It promises righteousness (Gal. 5:5), eternal life (Titus 1:2), and the return of Jesus (Titus 2:13). It is a "living hope," founded on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1 Pet. 1:3).

Therefore, when circumstances get out of control and pressures threaten to overwhelm us, we know that Jesus died for us, is working in us, and will never leave us. We can hold fast to God's promises and patiently endure. The "anchor of hope," Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, will hold us firm, if we anchor our soul in Him. 

The Truth: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Hebrews 5 "A Priest Forever"

 "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (v.6)

Here in our text the writer of Hebrews (thought by many to be Paul) quotes from Psalm 110 (a Psalm of David) where David referred to The Lord as, the Messiah who was to come, a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14, seemingly coming out of nowhere, ministering bread and wine to Abram. His name means “king of righteousness” and his position was king of Salem meaning “peace.” Abram, realizing he was in the presence of no ordinary man, worshiped and paid tithes to him, and partook of the elements in anticipation of Jesus – just as we now partake in looking back to Christ’s death for us on the cross. Consequently, no longer is there a need for a priest to offer sacrifices for sin, as Jesus paid it all. Hallelujah!

The Truth

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:8-10)

Hebrews 4 "Rest In The LORD"

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his."( Hebrews 4:9-10)

The good news of this passage is that God's offer of a rest, a Sabbath rest, still stands. Even though Moses' generation missed it, God's promise remains. His rest has been available since the dawn of creation. God rested from His work (Gen. 2:2) and decided it was such a good idea that He commanded a rest for His creation.

Notice that God's rest includes the cessation of work (v. 10). In God's case, He rested because He was finished with creation--His was a rest of completion and satisfaction. If we are to enter God's rest today, what work must we cease doing? 

The principle of Sabbath rest--one day in seven set aside for rest and worship--stands out in this passage. This is the rest God wants us to enjoy today. For us as Christians this special day is the Lord's day. But sadly, for many of us, this day is as hectic and noisy as the rest of the week. 

If your day of worship seems like every other day, except for church services, make a commitment to turn off the noise, unplug some of the activities, and spend more time in contemplation of God's goodness.

Rest! Wonderful rest! Relief, release, no longer worrying, fretting, straining, for you are resting upon One who is wholly adequate to do through you everything that needs to be done. Let Him carry your burdens in life and lead you along His path. Rest in the LORD!

The Truth: "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28) 

Hebrews 3 "Do Not Harden Your Heart"

 “Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tried Me by testing Me, and saw My works for forty years.” (v.8-9)

These verses are part of an ongoing series of warnings directed at a group of people who were wavering in their commitment to Christ. The author reminds the Hebrews that the generation of Israelites that came out of Egypt under Moses, never reached God's promised rest in Canaan, although it was waiting to be claimed. Their hardness of heart led them to test God, to doubt His provision, and to rebel against His will for them. These Israelites provoked God to anger, and He "declared on oath" (v.11) that their bones would bleach in the desert until the entire generation died out (v.17)

We also need to take this warning to heart. If we ignore it, sin will harden our spirits as surely as cement hardens once it has been poured. God honors faith, but unbelief invites His judgment. The solution against a "hardened heart" is found in verse thirteen, “encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

I pray that God will lead you to someone who needs encouragement and to be built up in Him. 

The Truth: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Hebrews 2 "Caution Against Drifting"

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” (v.1)

The danger this verse implies is obvious. We need to pay attention to the course of our lives, so that we do not unconsciously drift from the anchorage of our faith. Time changes us all; and there are many professing Christians who have unconsciously drifted away from an earlier better self. Oh, they keep up appearances, but the years of deception have carried them down current and drifting away from their original anchorage.

Therefore, ‘Let us give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard’ - that is, the honest occupation of mind and heart with the truths of the gospel. These truths will steady our course through life and keep us from drifting with the current of the world. May you not neglect so great a salvation by thinking, "I do not need to be rescued." Like the riptides that can pull a swimmer slowly out to sea, so a Christian can be pulled unconsciously away from his anchorage of faith if neglected. Brothers and sisters, keep your eyes on Jesus and you will not drift away. 

The Truth: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8) 

Hebrews 1 "The Final Word"

 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” (v.1)

Moody Bible Institute president, Dr. Joseph Stowell, has written concerning today's text: "God has always had spokesmen ready to speak for Him. When He wanted to announce the birth of His Son, He sent an angel with a message (Luke 2:9-14), too significant to trust to a human being. The same was true for the news of Christ's resurrection (Luke 24:4-6). But God's greatest spokesman was neither a patriarch, nor a prophet, nor an angel. According to the author of Hebrews, when God wanted to reveal Himself fully, He spoke "by his Son".

There's a very good reason that God spoke fully, and finally, through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only Person of whom it can be said, "He is exactly like God." That's because Jesus is God--He is therefore both perfect and superior to anyone who has come before or since. Additionally God the Father gave us His definitive word concerning Jesus when He spoke from heaven at Jesus' transfiguration: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" (Matthew 17:5).

God began speaking to His people in the Garden of Eden, then continued through the spiritual forefathers, the patriarchs, the prophets, the priests, and after 400 years of silence, to us through His Son, Jesus. The command to listen to Jesus (Matthew 15:5) has never been canceled, and never will be. Therefore, open your heart, and hear the words of truth from our LORD through His Word, particularly during these days of questionable leadership. For in the end, God will have the final word, and one would be extremly wise to "Hear Him."

The Truth: “I (God) will raise up for them a Prophet like you (Moses) from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it (Judgment) of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)

Zephaniah 3 “Safe Forever”

“The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.” (V.13)

Here Zephaniah is saying, in the day of Israel’s repentance there will be no iniquity, no lies, no deceit. All is forgiven, forgotten, removed. In return the promise to Israel will be, they shall find in Him peace and safety – forever.

What a great promise and the Lord keeps His Word.

The Truth:
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25)

Zephaniah 2 "Seek The LORD"

“Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (v.3)

Here, Zephaniah is pleading with the nation of Israel to; seek the Lord, seek righteousness and seek humility, that she may be hidden in the day of Tribulation and escape those things which are to come. and interestingly enough, the name of this prophet means, “Whom God hides or protects.” The hidden man invites others to his hiding-place; and shows how they (we) may be hidden in the day of God’s anger.

According to Revelation 12, many of the nation of Israel will do just that in the middle of the Tribulation, when the antichrist revels his true colors. Scripture also tells us in Isaiah 16 the name of the place where the Lord shall hide His people: Petra, located in present-day southern Jordan and carved out of a rock, is a huge city located in the mountain cliffs that can hold a million or more people. 

Later all those who did not seek the LORD, Jew and Gentile alike, will realize they have been “left behind,” unprotected in the day of great tribulation and unable to escape those things which are about to come upon them.

The Truth: “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),“then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15-16)

Zephaniah 1 "God's Judgment On Sin"

Be silent in the presence of the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is at hand, for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.” (v.7)

Today’s reading describes God’s judgment on sin, especially as it will take place on the Day of the Lord (vv. 2-3, 7), when God will pour out His wrath upon a Christ-rejecting, sinful world. Verses 2–3 in our reading are an overview His judgment at the end of history, and serve as a preview to what will happen to Judah in the near future. In verse 7, Judah is the sacrificial victim, while the invited guests are the armies of Babylon, which God will use to accomplish His plan.

The pictures painted here promise the total destruction of evil. Not a single trace of wickedness will be allowed to remain–it will all be swept away, cut off, and punished. This is definitely a zero tolerance policy! If it seems harsh, remember that God is utterly holy, yet has shown remarkable patience through-out history.

Therefore, we should all do as Paul urged us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 - “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith,”- for the day of the Lord is coming and you do not want to be found wanting.

The Truth: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Mathew 24:21)