Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD.” (Haggai 1:12)
 
One of the most significant messages of the Old Testament book of Haggai is emphasized by the simple phrase:  “thus saith the Lord”. These words are repeated 26 times in 38 verses or 2 chapters.  The message of Haggai to the Jews was to build the temple.  (Haggai 2:4)  However, behind this theme was the simple fact that this was what God wanted.
 
After 70 years of Babylonian captivity, God allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem.  Haggai was prophesying during the time of the return of the first group of exiles.  Their task upon returning home was to rebuild the temple.  Because of discouragement and a preoccupation with material things, the work was delayed.  However, according to the verse above the people obeyed the Lord and the work continued.
 
Consider some of the factors that prompted this rebuilding.  First, the people obeyed the voice of God.  They continued the work on the temple because this was the will of God, not the will of man.  We must also listen to the voice of God as he has spoken in his word.  

The second factor was their respect for the authority of Haggai.  He was God’ s prophet and the people acknowledge him as such.  Thus, to know God’s will they went to the right source.  Jesus is God’s prophet in these last days (Hebrews 1:1,2) and the only source of God’s will.  The message of God through Jesus is clearly revealed in the New Testament. (Ephesians 3:3-5) and must be respected.  

Third, “the people feared the presence of the Lord”.  This commends the great attitude of the people.  Do we have the same healthy respect for God as they?  
 
When Gods’ word is spoken and the people are moved to obedience by Godly fear surely God is pleased.  That is preaching that gets the right results.
 
By George Slover
 

The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD. “ (Proverbs 29:25-26)
 
During my freshman year at Texas A&M University, I learned a valuable lesson.  It seems that our class had stolen our Commanding Officer’s footlocker.  After several weeks of hazing, we finally decided to give it back to him.  A specific evening and place were designated for returning our prize to our senior commander.  On that evening we all met in the country with the footlocker full of ice and beer.  To celebrate our truce our C.O. proposed a toast.  He demanded that all of us would have a beer in our hands to be a part of this toast.  I timidly held that beer can in my hand, but never took a sip.  When it was convenient I poured the beer on the ground.  Hypocritically, I had given in to the pressure of peers.

Joshua and Caleb refused to ride the tide of popular opinion.  They would not listen to the ten other spies or to the complaints of Israel.  Against the majority view they stated:  "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30)  These two faithful spies were the only ones allowed to enter Canaan.

The Apostle’s of Christ were also men of great character and integrity.  The enemies of Jesus “commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus”. (Acts 4:18)  “But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19-20)  These brave men were determined to please God.
 
Jesus, our savior, was the perfect example of the kind of life we are to live. When the critics observed his life they rightly state: “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.”(Mark 12:14)  Jesus was not intimidated by the critics nor swayed by public opinion.
  
The child of God is to live for an audience of one.  God alone is our judge.  All things are to be measured by His standards!  He alone is to direct my life and I am to seek his approval.
 
By George Slover

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." (Luke 19:5)

What would you do today if a stranger walked up to your door needing a place to stay?  Your guest doesn’t look that impressive.  His only possessions are the clothes on his back.  After further inquiry you discover he was born the son of peasants.  He owns no home, nor does he even aspire to such.  This man of twenty-five years never went to college.  He has no high position in a corporation, and has no such ambitions.  He has never been out of state, except while in exile just after his birth.  In fact he has done nothing that by world standards would be deemed successful.  Would you invite him to be your guest?

The city of Jericho was a great taxation center.  Some have called it the Las Vegas of Palestine.  It was just the right place for an ambitious tax collector.  Zacchaeus was head of the customs department in Jericho.  It was an occupation where it was easy to commit injustices and thus become rich.

On the day Jesus entered Jericho, Zacchaeus’ life would be forever changed.  Jesus made a startling announcement to him: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  Against incredible odds, Zacchaeus gladly receives him as a guest.  Surely one of such status would want to protect his belongings and reputation.

Why would he invite this road weary stranger to sit on his couch?  Who is he to sit at his table?  What if he refuses to leave?  He has nothing to offer materially in return.  Would you have accepted Jesus’ challenge?  Be honest.  Look at him from a purely fleshly viewpoint.  He has no wealth.  He has never written a book, nor founded a college.  He has no fancy building for a place to preach.  Would you have invited him into your home?

What would motivate Zacchaeus to take such a risk?  The answer is simple:  He was rich, but lonely.  Despised and hated by men he sought the love of God.  This man, short in stature, climbed into a tree hoping for just a glimpse.  However, Zacchaeus’ ambition was rewarded beyond his wildest imagination!  “Salvation” came to his house!

Now here is the challenge.  Would you have invited Jesus into your home?  Consider these words of Jesus.  Speaking of caring for the needy, the infirmed, and the prisoner, he said, “I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my Brothers, however lowly, you did it to me.'” (Matthew 25:40 TCNT)  Do you see the connection?  When we have served the lowly, we have truly served Him.  

Tomorrow Jesus may be passing through your home town wherever it is.  He may want to have dinner with you.  He wants to talk with you about eternal matters.  What about it?  Has he knocked on your heart’s door?  Have you let Him in?     Zacchaeus left the path of common sense and made a leap of faith that radically changed his life.  What about you?

By George Slover

So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:27)

The surrounding context reveals one of Jesus’ most striking miracles.  The Lord and his disciples entered the boat looking for retirement from the crowd.  Suddenly a storm arose and the boat was tossed and covered with waves.  But, Jesus slept.

Out of despair the disciples awoke the Master and cried to him for help.  It seems strange to me that these who have been masters of the sea, would make such a request from the son of a carpenter.  They did not realize the fullness of his power, but they trusted him as a child would trust a parent when the lightning flashes and thunder rolls.

Jesus gently rebukes his disciples for their lack of faith.  Perhaps it was their impatience that manifested their doubt.  Then, Jesus calmly arose and rebuked the elements, and suddenly there was calm.   The Lord’s slumber demonstrates his complete control of the moment.  Even in the midst of chaos Jesus is still ruling this world.  Who is this one who has such power?  He is God’s son.  He is the Creator and Provider of this marvelous world.

This life is full of unrest, disappointments, and worries.  Is Jesus in the boat?  Does He care?  Such challenges often test our faith.  It may seem like Jesus is asleep, but he is present and he does care indeed!  The outward life may be full of cares, but in the heart of the Christian there is peace.

Christ is never negligent of his people.  He may seem to delay, but at the right moment he will do what is needed.  The words of M.A. Baker in this well known hymn convey these sentiments:

“Master the tempest is raging!  The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’shadowed with blackness, No shelter or help is nigh;
Carest Thou not that we perish?  How canst Thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threat’ning  A grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, Peace be still! Peace be still!
Whether the wrath of the stormed-tossed sea,  Or demons or men, or whatever it be, No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean and earth and skies!  They all shall sweetly obey Thy will. Peace be still! Peace be still!
They all shall sweetly obey thy will, Peace, peace, be still! 

By George Slover

"And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. (1 Kings 8:59-60)

This is one of Solomon’s finest moments.  God has fulfilled the wishes of his father David.  Israel has gathered to dedicate the temple and to offer thanksgivings to God.  At the close of the prayer fire from heaven consumed the offerings and sacrifices and the glory of the Lord filled the house.  The ceremony was followed by sacrifice on a scale of unusual grandeur.  It was a great day!

Perhaps you’ve had a day in your lifetime when you realized the completion of a lofty goal.  If not, you surely have dreams of the future.  Such aspirations are valuable because they energize us to reach for greater heights.  Solomon was living the dream of his father David.

Our goals may be found in various arenas of life- our job, our family, our neighborhood, our church.  Some dreams are very personal, others involve family or community.  The noblest ambitions are those that will benefit our fellows.

These goals must be guided by the word of God.  Solomon entreats Israel:  "Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day." (1 Kings 8:61)   God has given us a road map to follow.  We can only be successful when our desires follow the path given by our Creator.

All of our ambitions must be tempered by God’s purposes.  We have been placed in this world by a master craftsman and wonderfully made in his image.  Our Creator designed us for a heavenly purpose.  Solomon targets that purpose with these words: that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. (1 Kings 8:59-60)  

We were born to manifest the glory of God.  If our aspirations are in harmony with God’s, our light will shine and others will glorify Him as well.  

By George Slover