Appearances can be deceiving

Sunday, 23 October 2022 by

Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 23 October 2022

Appearances can be deceiving

God has commanded the building project – His Kingdom – that declares His significance. But it just doesn’t seem to match the rhetoric or hopes or history that we hold onto. God’s people were like that in Haggai’s day, too – a month after they began rebuilding the Temple, they are dispirited, disheartened, and disappointed. Some are yearning for the ‘good-old-days’, some are puzzled by the lack of progress, and some are just confused about the building. Haggai comes, and with the LORD’s word, reassures them that God has got matters in hand: He is with them, and through them, the LORD will bring a ‘greater glory’ and ‘peace’ through His Temple. With this in mind – and with God’s historical steadfastness clearly stated – God’s mob are to ‘be strong’, to ‘work’ and to be ‘not afraid’.

Scripture References: Haggai 2:1-9, Ezra 3:10-13, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

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