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.