God will glorify himself and his people will be blessed

Sometimes we believe that the past was better than today. However when we look to the past we might miss what is happening in the present. In this passage we find it is about one month since the prophet spoke to the people about the new temple. The people are asked to compare it with the original temple. They became discouraged and disappointed. This is because they looked to the task and not to the Lord. They failed to trust him to carry out his work.

This can be the same with the church today. God’s people should, and must, promote the gospel and look to Jesus for the accomplishment of this task.

Returning to Haggai’s time … how does the Lord deal with their discouragement? He encourages them to continue the work because he will be with them. He will give them the gifts for the rebuilding of the temple. Do God’s people today trust that he is with them in gospel work? Fear should not be allowed to discourage them because God has given his word and promises to be with his people by his Spirit. Fear should never be the default position because of the cross. Jesus is the true temple and he is building this temple by saving his people from their sins.