Haggai 2:2

“Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them,”

The NKJV version says, “speak NOW”. Many times we have a Word from God, or God tells us to do something, but we hesitate when the opportunity is there. Sometimes we don’t even say anything, even though we know it is God’s timing. Speak NOW. The Word of God requires action!

1 Thessalonians 2:7

“but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.”

Have we been caring enough to people? To be people who show care and concern? Do we even have compassion? Sometimes we show little empathy to those around us – but let us take the first step, to love, to be gentle, to care for people!

You know the value of prayer; it is precious beyond all price. Never, never neglect it.

Buxton, Thomas

Haggai 1:17

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai:

God sometimes remains silent – for almost a month in the case of Haggai – but I believe God sometimes speaks in bits and pieces. He gives us the opportunity to digest, to comprehend, to understand what His ways are. Lord, let us not be rash in whatever we do, but let us move in Your timing!

1 Thessalonians 2:6

We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

Many times, we look for praises of men – we want acceptance from our sheep, our peers and our leaders, when all God desires from us to receive His Praise! Let us be reminded not to be men-pleasers, but God-pleasers, and God will definitely give us the favour of man!

Haggai 1:15

¹⁵ on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius.

In verse 1, the Word of the Lord was spoken on the 1st day – and action was taken 23 days later. Many times, we get a Word from God – and we expect action and response immediately. Sometimes it takes time, it takes plenty of time to get things going. How many times have we been impatient of things of God? Perhaps we need to sit back, and just wait upon God’s timing! Now, I’m a person that strongly advocates action, but action without God’s hand will end up in vain! What power there will be, if we combined Action together with God’s timing and purpose!!

1 Thessalonians 2:5

⁵You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.

How are we attracting people? Do we use flattery? Do we ‘bluff’ our way around, but God is our witness, He knows our hearts!! Let’s make sure our attitudes and our attitude is of a sincere heart!!

Haggai 1:14

“So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God.

Lord, may our spirits be stirred up through you, to build up Your house. Let it not be done through human passion, but a Godly stirring within us! Things that are done out of human passion normally do not last the long-run, but we’re here for the long haul, so let’s run through Godly passion!!

1 Thessalonians 2:4

On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

Are we approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel? Let us not be messengers that please men, but that in everything we do, may we please God – who is testing our hearts all the time!

Lord, may you test my heart in all things – that I may be pleasing unto You, and You alone.

I like to hear a man dwell much on the same essentials of Christianity. For we have but one God, and one Christ, and one faith to preach; and I will not preach another Gospel to please men with variety, as if our Savior and our Gospel were grown stale.

- Baxter, Richard –

Haggai 1:13

“Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord.”

What assurance we have, knowing that God is with us! Before anything, above all else, God wants us to know that He is with us! Which means we have nothing to fear, we have no reason to hide, because our God is WITH US!

1 Thessalonians 2:3

“For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.”

The gospel is always pure, but it’s who presents that message that is normally carnal. Sometimes we preach, or say things that may have ‘impure’ motives. It’s a good reminder for any of us who share with people. What are our intentions? Let’s keep it pure!

So, what are we going to do about it?

Haggai 1:12

“Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Josuha son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.“

Many times it’s easy to “Obey the Voice of the Lord” – but it’s hard to obey the messenger (in this case, Haggai). How certain are we that the messenger has the full grasp of what God is saying? Do we give that person the benefit of doubt? I see this verse as a beautiful picture though – of how EVERYONE just obeys the Word of God.

Lord, may we be sensitive to Your Word, and give us the courage and boldness to obey it. No matter how crazy Your ideas are!

1 Thessalonians 2:2

“We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.”

Are we able to share the gospel despite of strong opposition?? Despite being insulted, and going through sufferings, are we able to place our Faith in God, who is able to help us? Let us build up our courage in the hope and faith we place on God – A God that is GREAT and MIGHTY, a God that is ABOVE ALL things!