Haggai 2
Scripture Reading: Read Haggai Chapter 2.
Playing the Comparison Game:
Haggai 2:2-4 – “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ‘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? But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (NIV)
Comparison can be one of the most discouraging and fruitless trains of thought. This is true in our personal lives and in the ministry of the church. The moment we begin measuring our effectiveness to that of others, we must investigate the scriptures for better understanding.
The people of God who are rebuilding the Temple find themselves discouraged. Some of the older Jewish returnees may have been able to remember the splendor of Solomon’s Temple. They began to think that this new Temple would be inferior. We can understand how discouragement crept into their souls as they played the comparison game.
The Lord encourages them in three areas that we can also be encouraged by today:
- Be Strong: God provided for them and gave them the ability to do the work, but they need to be reminded to stand firm in the strength God gave them.
- Get to Work: There’s a time for planning, and there’s a time for working. The Lord pushed them to get on their feet and do the work.
- For I am with you: They needed to be reminded that the true glory of Solomon’s Temple had nothing to do with the gold and jewels it contained. The glory of that Temple was wrapped up in God’s presence. The new Temple may differ from the original, but God’s presence would be with them.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for falling prey to the poison of comparison. Help me, Lord, to focus on obeying your word and walking confidently in your Spirit, amen.