The LORD's Messenger

Published: June 22, 2017, 4:55 p.m.

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The book of Haggai starts at a time when the Israelites had started to rebuild the temple, but because of opposition, they stopped. They were unwilling to work because they thought that the time had not yet come to rebuild the temple. Instead, they were focused on their own lives and houses. Haggai speaks to them the word from God, to stir them up and to have them lift their eyes from the earth, to what God is trying to do. He tells them not to obsess over their dreams, plans or desires, but instead to look to the Lord and His will and purposes for their lives. We can\\u2019t prioritize the things of the earth over the work of the Lord. If we focus on ourselves first, we will waste our lives. Haggai was a true prophet whose primary concern was not that the people live in pleasure, but that the Lord is glorified. The true prophet calls people to consider their ways and examine themselves. We are called to take our eyes off of the temporal, and put it on the eternal. Live your life for the glory of God! A false prophet enforces people in their sin, while a true prophet declares the holiness of God. He declares to the people their sins and reveals to them the means of repentance. As a result of Haggai\\u2019s ministry, the people obeyed, and did not continue to waste their lives. They received the word from Haggai to be from God, and not man. After their obedience, Haggai gave a word of encouragement to the people. The work of the Lord must be done in faith and confidence, with a vision. We must be fully convinced that what God has promised, He will also perform. Obey the words of the true prophets, and set your hands on the work of the Lord!


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