For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Hag. 1
Turns out I didn’t have to wait long to start seeking the answers to yesterday’s questions. The first thing I see is that God reminded the people, through Haggai, to always put Him first. It is God who truly has control over every aspect of our lives, not the people who oppose us and Him. And it seems His people got the message. They recognized the message Haggai gave was from the LORD, “So the people feared the LORD.” (Hag. 1:12b). Because they then properly turned their fear back to God instead of toward the people of the land, they rose up and obeyed God’s word. It was after they took this step of faith that God again sent word through Haggai to say, “I am with you – this is the LORD’s declaration.” (Hag. 1:13).
So how can I apply Haggai’s words to my own life? Remember to keep God first. Know that He is the only one worthy of my fear because He is the only one who holds my soul in His hands. Ironically, it is in fearing God that I am able to follow Him fearlessly, regardless of what the world throws at me. This is because, when I fear Him alone, I can know that He is with me. Thus I am like the adulterous woman who was brought before Jesus. No human can take my life and the only One who can, won’t.
Hag. 2
God made more declarations to the people through Haggai. He said, “Be strong, all you people of the land… Work! For I am with you… This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid.” (Hag. 2:4b-5). I believe God makes the same declarations to those who believe on the name of His Son. It is the promise He made to us when He brought us out of sin. The work is hard; the path fraught with opposition. But God is with us; His Spirit is in us. So we must set about doing the work He has given us to do until the day He calls us home and our work is complete.