So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, (Haggai 1:14)

During the rule of Cyrus, the Persian, God allowed a band of Jewish exiles to return to Judah to rebuild the temple.  However, apathy and discouragement hindered the progress.  Thus, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubababel and Joshua, their leaders, and the spirit of the people to complete the project. 

The message of Haggai, the prophet, mingled with obedient hearts, resulted in the remnant fully surrendering to the work.  No one had to be coerced against their will.  The people came and did the work without a grudge or indifference.  There was not a slacker among them. 

There are obstacles that often hinder the work of Christians.  Our progress may be hindered by a failure to recognize our priorities, a failure to appreciate our talents, or opposition from our enemies.   There are times when Christians need to be stirred up. 

Instead of concentrating on God's house, (Haggai 1:4) the people had been tending to their own houses.  Some had allowed memories of the glory of the former temple to discourage them from the work before them.  In Haggai’s stirring exhortation he reminds them that “God is with them.” 

There are times when Christians become depressed and discouraged.  We must recognize our priorities, acknowledge our talents, focus on the great heavenly reward God has promised, and accept God's gracious assistance. 

God wants us to get busy with His work.  Just as he gave these Jews courage, he will do the same for us today.

By George Slover


 

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:9.10)

When Paul visited Corinth, he preached the simple gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It was the acceptance of this message by which he and his audience had been saved.

Such a remarkable story as the resurrection of Christ needed witnesses. Among these witnesses was Paul: “one born out of due time”. (vs.8) He was chosen to be Christ’s special instrument to preach to the Gentiles. The previous life before his conversion, coupled with those who tried to discredit his apostleship, prompted Paul to engage in the practice of humble assertion.

The life of Paul was certainly marked by courage. He did not shirk his duty to God regardless of the threat. When his apostleship was in question, he boldly defended it. He did this knowing his powerful testimony could lead others to the Savior.

Paul’s boldness was coupled with diligence: “I labored more abundantly than they all”. Truly devoted disciples are hard workers – giving their all for the cause of Christ. They’ve made great sacrifices, untouched by circumstances, good or bad to minister to others the soul-saving message of Jesus. Others profess to believe, but either does very little, or shout to the world the great sacrifices they made for the Lord.

However, Paul describes his ministry with words of humility: “by the grace of God I am what I am”. He found shame in having persecuted the church. If each disciple would candidly look at their own life they would also say: “by the grace of God I am what I am“.

Few Bible authors are given more to paradox than Paul. He was eager to boldly defend the cause of Christ and the authority of his apostleship that bolstered the message. He claimed pre-eminence in the labor that involved long journeys and many hardships. Yet he was quick to add that the fruit of his labors was due to the grace of God.

Truly great disciples will see things as they are. As they grow in the Lord, God‘s power seems greater and greater, and their accomplishments seem less and less. They zealously labor in the Lord, but give all the glory to Christ who is all and all.

By George Slover 

If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 58:13-14)

The Sabbath was given to Israel as a day of rest, and to remind them of how God made the heavens and the earth in six days, but rested on the seventh day.  The Lord stated:  "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)  How wise of God to provide a special time for bodily rest and spiritual reflection.

Unfortunately, the Jews, in various ways abused the Sabbath law.   The more worldly Jews kept its observance to a minimum.   As long as they were keeping its ceremonies, they felt justified in pursuing secular occupations and peddling merchandise.  (Nehemiah 13:15,16)  On the other hand the legalists criticized Jesus for even healing on the Sabbath.  (Mark 3:1-6)

In our text, God is pleading with Israel to approach the Sabbath with the right attitude.   God is exhorting them to turn from their own pleasures and find delight and satisfaction in its observance.   While Christians are not commanded to keep the Sabbath, there are still important lessons that we may apply to our service to God. 

They were to treat the Sabbath with reverence and respect.   The Sabbath law was given to them by God, and it was wrong and disrespectful for them to observe it according to their own pleasures.   Do you think God is pleased when churches direct the worship service to please the carnal man rather than God?  Certainly not! 

They were to find delight in the Sabbath law.   “Do not seek your own pleasure but find delight in doing the Lord’s will”.  Rejoicing in God's work should be an oasis in the wilderness of life - a foretaste of heaven, a real satisfaction to the soul. 

God is pleased when our work and worship is focused on him.  We must rejoice in work than that is not ours but God's.

By George Slover

"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)

Much of Jesus’ ministry was near the sea of Galilee.  Luke tells us that Jesus was near the city of Bethsaida on the east side of the sea.  A great multitude followed Jesus because of the signs he performed.

Thus, Jesus tested Philip: "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5)  Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little." (John 6:7) Then, Andrew adds, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)  Does Andrew see some potential here or is he thinking the situation is hopeless?   

The Barley loaves were not large commercial loaves of bread.  They would be just enough to make a fish “sandwich”.  The fishes were salted and dried and used for relish.   It was common food for a common little boy.  The food may have been for his lunch.  However, Jesus does something spectacular with this small amount.

How many times have we contemplated our own inadequacy?  Who are we among so many?  The world seems so intimidating, and we are so small.  What can we do? 

There are many tools God places at our disposal to contribute to our spiritual success.  The most useful one is a book that seems so common and ordinary. That book is the Bible. Its message has radically changed lives for more than 2000 years.   

This great faith building book is at your disposal right now.  The same message that influenced an Ethiopian, a Jewish zealot, and a jailer can also give you joy and hope.  Study it, practice, preach it,  and you will be blessed!

By George Slover

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)

There are times when a church or an individual is in need of spiritual renewal. The Jews of this era busied themselves with rebuilding the Temple, restoring the law, and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.   There is a good comparison of the activities of the Jews with rebuilding spiritual lives in our time.

Chapter 9 records a public confession of Israel. This confession was accompanied by a covenant with God.  Israel's history of departure demonstrated their propensity to wickedness.   They had lost their right to the land because of their sin.  Hopefully, this covenant would safeguard against future departures.   Their resolve: we will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)

A temple has tremendous significance in Bible parlance.  Solomon’s temple, Zerubbabel’s temple, and Herod’s temple represented the presence of God among the people.  The New Testament takes the word to a deeper spiritual meaning.  Those redeemed by Christ are a “holy temple in the Lord”. (Ephesians 2:21)  Their body is “the temple of the Holy Spirit”. (I Corinthians 6:19)  Because they are God’s house, they enjoy the great blessing of His presence.  

Just like Israel, Christians are tempted with worldliness and unbelief.  Thus, they are in need of a revival.  Our times of renewal must include the resolve to give diligence to caring for our spiritual house.  We must separate ourselves from the world’s entanglements, and fill the house with activities of heaven.

How are the walls of your spiritual life?  Bring your offerings to the storeroom,  join in with the singers of Israel, and do not neglect the house of our God.  (Nehemiah 10:39)

By George Slover