Haggai: Keep building!
Devotions this week based on The Prophets Week 10 – Haggai (WATCH HERE)
“‘Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you… My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’” — Haggai 2:4–5
Ministry can be discouraging. Some seasons it seems like you work to reach people disconnected from Jesus, encourage and strengthen those that are attending, utilize the gifts God has given to the people and still people leave, membership declines, and the work seems in vain.
Often ministry is started with great enthusiasm and optimism. But that can fade as the weeks turn into months of no seeming return. To be sure I have had my seasons of great optimism only to be challenged by the value of going on, as it just didn’t seem worth it.
I wasn’t the first. You wouldn’t be the first.
About a month after they resumed building, the people began to feel discouraged. The new Temple was nothing like Solomon’s magnificent structure. Those old enough to remember the former glory wept (Ezra 3:12). The footprint was smaller, the artwork paled to the former, the grandeur was a small percentage.
Ask them, (Haggai 2:3) ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?”
Yes. It seems like nothing compared to the house of the Lord in its former glory. The LORD acknowledges it, but doesn’t disparage it. Rather he encourages it!
God’s encouragement through Haggai was clear: “Be strong and work, for I am with you.”
The Lord reassured them with three truths:
- His Presence — “I am with you.”
- His Spirit — “My Spirit remains among you.”
- His Promise — “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”
The people didn’t know what the Lord had in mind. The glory of this temple would be greater than the glory of the former house. Wait? How? How could Solomon’s temple, a wonder of the ancient world, pale in comparison to this attempt at a temple? Solomon’s temple would never host the coming of Christ! The baby Jesus would one day enter that very Temple (Luke 2:27–32). The physical structure may have seemed small, but it would host the very presence of the Messiah.
What a great reminder to any of us who are doing the work of the Lord and it seems small and unimpressive. God says, “You see rubble; I see future glory.” He encourages us to stay strong. Continue the work.
The result? God’s Word is proclaimed and lives are transformed, His glory fills the room.
Apply: When the work feels slow or unimpressive, remember: God values faithfulness more than flashiness. His Spirit empowers where our strength ends. His future glory redeems today’s ordinary obedience. Keep building — your effort is not wasted.
Prayer: Lord, when I grow weary or discouraged, remind me that You are with me and Your Spirit empowers me. Use even my small acts of obedience to bring You lasting glory. Amen.
Haggai: “I Am with You”
Devotions this week based on The Prophets Week 10 – Haggai (WATCH HERE)
“Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God… And the people feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: ‘I am with you,’ declares the LORD.” — Haggai 1:12–13
Today is Veterans’ Day. With gratitude, thank you to all who have and are serving in our armed forces to protect and defend the Constitution of our land and all the rights it guarantees. I and many others are blessed by it.
I have not served in the military, nor, honestly, was it something I aspired to do. I am grateful to all who do and have. However, from what I know of the military, obedience is a key to the success of the soldiers. When the commander barks an order, the assumption is that you obey that order. If you don’t, the consequences are usually swift and complete.
While obedience can come because of the fear of consequences, obedience can also come when one realizes the path they are on is going to lead to harm and readily accepts a different alternative. A commander who has the best interest of the mission in mind, will be just as eager to correct the action of his troops as he was to initially communicate and explain the initial mission. He knows that the deviance of his regiment from the assigned plan would mean deadly consequences. So he corrects them and calls them to adjust their ways and come in alignment with the mission at hand.
God is no different. He knew his people were straying from the important task of finishing the work on the temple. So he sends Haggai to course correct. The result? The people heard God’s rebuke through Haggai and could have easily dismissed it. But instead of arguing or excusing, they obeyed. That single shift — from apathy to obedience — changed everything.
Notice the sequence: they listened to Haggai’s, they feared the LORD, and they obeyed. Then came God’s gracious response: “I am with you.”
God comes to those who walk by faith. Those four words change everything. The same God whose displeasure had dried up their crops now promised to walk beside them. His presence replaced their frustration with courage.
It’s a reminder that repentance is not a backward step, rather, it’s a reset into relationship. The people didn’t have to finish the Temple before God came near. They experienced the presence of God the moment they did.
A military commander who calls for course correction is well respected when he is willing to go with his troop into the engagement. No one wants to go alone. There is added strength, encouragement and sense of purpose when the commander goes first.
The Lord promises similar to us. The Lord will be with us as we walk with him and he with us
God’s presence doesn’t depend on perfection, but his promises. When our hearts turn toward Him, His Spirit empowers us to keep moving forward. His Spirit promises us, “I will be with you!”
Apply: Obedience is not about earning God’s favor; it’s about aligning with His presence.
What is out of line with the Lord that you can take a step today to align your heart closer to the Lord’s?”
Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your mercy is new every morning. Help me to obey without delay, trusting that You are with me in every step. Stir up my spirit again to serve You with joy. Amen.
Haggai: Consider Your Ways
Devotions this week based on The Prophets Week 10 – Haggai (WATCH HERE)
“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough… You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.’” — Haggai 1:5–6, NIV
Sometimes it seems like you are spinning your wheels. Have you ever felt like you are busy, but never get anything done? Do you perceive you are working hard but don’t see great results?
When work or life seems out of balance, it is a good time to take a step back and “give careful thought to your ways.”
At the time of Haggai the prophet, sixteen years had passed since the first group of exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. They began with great zeal, laying the foundation of the temple and rejoicing at the prospect of restoring worship in God’s house. But opposition, hardship, and self-interest soon got in the way. The temple remained unfinished while everyone turned their attention to building their own homes.
God sent Haggai to confront their spiritual drift: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” (v.4). The people had good reasons — life was hard, resources were scarce, but beneath their excuses was a deeper problem: misplaced priorities.
The phrase “Give careful thought to your ways” (repeated twice in vv. 5 and 7) literally means “set your heart upon your path.” God wanted them to examine where their choices were leading. They worked hard but reaped little. Their lives were full of effort but empty of fruit. The more they chased comfort and control, the less satisfied they became.
Doesn’t that sound familiar? We live in a culture that prizes productivity, yet so many feel spiritually depleted. We fill our calendars, bank accounts, and social feeds, but still find ourselves hungry for meaning. Like Judah, we can build impressive “paneled houses” — careers, hobbies, reputations and neglect the inner temple where God desires to dwell.
Jesus echoed this same principle centuries later: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). The order matters. When God isn’t first, everything else unravels. When He is first, everything else falls into place.
Imagine hiking through the woods with a faulty compass. At first, you only drift a few degrees off course. It doesn’t seem like much, but after miles of walking, you’re completely lost. That’s what happens spiritually when our priorities shift even slightly from God’s purposes. We may not notice right away, but over time, our direction and our joy veer far from where we intended to be.
That’s why God lovingly calls, “Consider your ways.” It’s not condemnation; it’s an invitation to course-correct before the drift becomes a disaster.
Apply: Ask yourself: Where have I been building my “paneled house” while neglecting God’s? What receives my best time, energy, and resources? How can I make room for God’s priorities — worship, community, generosity — this week?
Prayer: Lord, I hear Your call to “consider my ways.” Too often I’ve chased my own comfort while neglecting the things that matter most to You. Forgive me for the times I’ve made my plans without asking for Your direction. Teach me to seek first Your kingdom and trust that You will provide what I need. Realign my heart and priorities today, and dwell at the center of everything I build. Amen.
Zephaniah: From Purified Lips to Joyful Praise
Devotions this week based on The Prophets Week 9 – Zephaniah (WATCH HERE)
“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.” — Zephaniah 3:9 (NIV)
The purpose of Zephaniah’s is to communicate God’s justice on sin and straying from the Lord and call his people back to him. From the beginning of time, God has desired a people that trusts in him and his promises, walks committed with him, and brings the influence of the Gospel to the world. So as Zephaniah’s prophecy nears its close, God reveals His ultimate purpose “to purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
God’s desire is that his Spirit captures the hearts and lives of people. The lips represent not only speech but the heart from which words flow. When God purifies lips, He is transforming the inner life of His people. Calling on the Lord is the expression of the lips of faith that God has worked in hearts. Service is the heart of faith driving the hands of effort to bring glory to God.
Zephaniah gives us a vision of the Church redeemed, purified, and empowered. Through Christ, the Spirit purifies our hearts so that our praise becomes sincere, and our lives reflect His glory. The end of wrath is not silence, but singing.
God is still purifying His people today. He works through conviction, Scripture, and the Spirit’s guidance to cleanse what is impure in us, not to condemn, but to renew.
Our words reveal much about our hearts. Gossip, complaint, or criticism show where God still needs to heal us. But when our lips are touched by His grace, our speech becomes a channel of blessing. We begin to speak life, encouragement, and truth.
Purified lips also mean a unified mission. Zephaniah says God’s people will serve Him “shoulder to shoulder.” That’s a picture of unity and cooperation. The Church is strongest when believers stand together, unified in faith, worshiping with one voice and working with one heart.
Every time we speak of God’s grace and call people to repentance we are joining in that divine purpose. From wrath to rejoicing God is creating a people who sing His praise across every nation and tongue. As one’s blessed by God’s grace, let’s join them!
Apply: What needs to be purified in your speech or heart today? How can your words build unity and joy among God’s people?
Prayer: Holy God, purify my lips and my heart. Forgive me for careless words and attitudes that do not reflect Your love. Fill me with Your Spirit so that my speech gives grace to others and honors You. Make me part of the people who serve You shoulder to shoulder, united in purpose and filled with praise. From wrath to rejoicing, may Your song resound through me and through Your Church. Amen.
Zephaniah: The Lord in Our Midst
Devotions this week based on The Prophets Week 9 – Zephaniah (WATCH HERE)
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
After chapters of judgment and warning, Zephaniah ends his prophecy with breathtaking beauty. The God who once declared wrath now declares delight. The scene shifts from destruction to restoration, from trembling to singing.
“The Lord your God is with you.” That simple statement is the foundation of all hope. God is not far off, watching from a distance; He is near. The “Mighty Warrior” who once fought against sin now fights for His people’s salvation.
But what captures our hearts most is the image of God rejoicing over His people with singing. Think about that: the Creator of the universe sings over you! His song is not of disappointment but of delight. This is love at its fullest expression, not just forgiving love, but celebrating love.
Zephaniah reveals the heart of God: He disciplines to restore, not to destroy. His justice clears the way for joy. This prophecy points directly to Jesus, the ultimate expression of God with us. Through His sacrifice, wrath was satisfied, and the song of heaven began.
Many believers know intellectually that God loves them, yet sometimes struggle to believe that He delights in them. We often live as though God merely tolerates us, as if His forgiveness comes with a sigh of resignation. But Zephaniah 3:17 tells a different story. God rejoices over you.
When you fail, He does not withdraw His affection. Instead, He invites you back to His presence. Like a father singing over his beloved child, His heart beats with compassion for you.
Learning to rest in God’s delight changes everything. It quiets your fears, lifts your shame, and restores your joy. You don’t have to earn His love. It’s already yours. As you walk in that truth, worship becomes your natural response.
When you face discouragement, remember: God is with you. He is not only your Savior but also your Song. His joy over you empowers you to face the day with renewed confidence.
Apply: Do you believe that God delights in you—not just tolerates you, but rejoices over you? How might that truth change the way you approach Him in prayer and worship today?
Prayer: Loving Father, thank You that You are in my midst and that You rejoice over me with singing. Help me live from the truth that I am deeply loved, not condemned. Quiet my fears with Your love and fill me with the joy of Your presence. Let my life echo the song You sing over me, bringing hope and encouragement to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.