“‘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, . . . and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear’” (Haggai 2:3-5).
At first, the Israelites who returned from exile in Babylon were more focused on building their own houses than God’s house. They needed a reminder from God through his prophet Haggai to order their priorities rightly and put God first.
Now, the Israelites needed another reminder from their God. They were putting in the work, rebuilding the house of the Lord Almighty, . . . but it didn’t look like the former, glorious temple that King Solomon had built. They didn’t have the same resources, time, or workforce, and they were beginning to get discouraged and become afraid.
God knew what was going on in their hearts and minds, and he addressed their discouragement and fear in a way that only he could. “Be strong, . . . and work. For I am with you.”
God’s presence in his people’s lives wasn’t because of how glorious or magnificent a temple they built for him. It wasn’t because of how faithfully they followed him or kept his commands. If it were, God would have abandoned his people long before the Babylonian exile. No, his ever-presence in their lives was because of his faithful, steadfast love for them.
God reminded his people that his house wasn’t intended to be a place where worshipers fell to their knees, awestruck at the beauty of the design and décor—it was intended to be a place where worshipers fell to their knees, awestruck at the amazing grace of the God who loved them so much that he promised to send a Savior to rescue them from their sins.
“‘In this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty” (Haggai 2:9).
How true for us as well. Whether we’re worshiping in a beautiful cathedral or setting up folding chairs in a rented storefront, the beauty of Christian worship is found in what our God does for us in that space.
“Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
In God’s house, God’s people gather to receive his means of grace through Word and sacraments—seemingly ordinary, common enough things: words written down on a page, bread and wine, water and the Word . . .
But through those seemingly ordinary, common enough things, God does something extraordinary for his people. He creates and strengthens faith, pronounces forgiveness of sins, and promises life everlasting in his name. He gives us true and lasting peace.
Dear Christian, do not be discouraged; do not be afraid. As our Savior himself promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Be strong and work—keep living out your faith in your daily life. God is with you. Go to his house and worship him; be in his Word to be refreshed and restored to live for him with joy and thanksgiving.
Want to learn more? Our Worth to Him: Devotions for Christian Worship is a book of brief, encouraging devotions by Pastor Mark Paustian that explores the purpose of worship, the meanings of worship service aspects, and what truly takes place as believers gather in God’s house.
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Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
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