MONDAY June 6, 2022

The Importance of God’s House

“Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.” ’ ”
Haggai 1:2

As we continue to study the book of Haggai, it is also important to read the books of Nehemiah, Ezra and Zachariah; they all fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Nehemiah and Ezra, a scribe and a priest, were godly men who were greatly used in rebuilding the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem. The prophet Haggai is mentioned with Zechariah the prophet in the book of Ezra:

Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them (Ezra 5:1-2).

Haggai’s message, as we have already established, was about priorities. The 50,000 Jews who returned to their land were supposed to rebuild the Temple. Yet God’s people got so involved with themselves. They needed to understand Haggai’s message from the Lord––it was a rebuke to chasten them. They were supposed to use their finances to rebuild the Temple and to restore the city gates.

What would we do without the house of God? It is so important to have a place of worship so we can sit and hear God’s Word. God’s house is a place of prayer so we can receive His peace. Many of us come to church with heavy burdens, terrible situations, and deep hurts. A pastor gives to us God’s message which speaks to our hearts so personally––directly.

I pray as we study the book of Haggai together that our lives will be aligned with God’s perfect will. I believe each of us will fit together as pieces of a puzzle to be a special part of what God is doing. Then we can be unified in reaching the lost in this wicked world.

The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church...is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her.
~Dwight L. Moody~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!