How's Life? (Haggai 2)

How’s life? A picture from Israel’s past

The timeline of Haggai

Solomon is the height of the Kingdom of Israel. Israel falls apart and goes to Babylon as exiles.

Cyrus King of Persia is commanded by God to let the Jews go back to build God’s temple.

The Jews go back to Jerusalem and a year after arriving set the foundation for the temple.

They are met with opposition from foreigners who moved into the land.

12 years later, they haven’t built a thing!, Haggai comes to bring them this message.

Here’s the message:

Haggai 1:5-6 “5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.””

Haggai 1:7-9 “7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.”

Haggai 2:15-16 “15 “ ‘Now give careful thought to this from this day on—consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the Lord’s temple. 16 When anyone came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty.”

(Example: Picture of the messed up cake skit)

How’s life Israel? Life is tough. We plant and don’t harvest, etc.

Haggai’s message, yeah- life is tough because your relationship with God is in ruin.

The temple was a physical representation of their relationship with God.

Story about Dad

My dad died of cancer when he was 42 years old. He fought cancer for 7 years. That means he was diagnosed with terminal cancer at 35 years old. I want to tell you 2 stories.

1. I was talking to my dad about my future, I was 15 or so, and he explained that I needed to work hard and save my money. I needed to have good credit and I needed to be educated because I needed to provide for my family and I was going to want the life that success brings. And I remember something specific he said, “people always want more”. And he wasn’t saying it like, those people always want more - he meant I always want more and you will too.

2. 5 years later… 5 years of hardship, of cancer and chemo, of spending his life sick - my dad is sitting in the bathtub and he can barely move. My mom is bathing him, singing over him, praying over him can hear his pain and says, “Jeff why don’t you pray and ask Jesus to take this pain?” “I can’t” He says. - Now you would think the next words are going to be, I can’t because I’m angry! This isn’t fair. I can’t because He doesn’t listen. I’ve already prayed yet here I sit. I can’t because he’s not there! but that’s not what he says - “I can’t. God has given me so much already, how could I possibly ask Him for more?”

The same man who told me just years later that I would never be satisfied and I would always be chasing, as he sat dying told my mom he was completely satisfied in Christ and needed nothing.

What changed?

What could eclipse this truth?

Philippians 4:4–14 (NIV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Here’s the truth that Israel was supposed to consider carefully, here’s the truth that led Paul to have peace in all things, and here’s the truth that my dad came to realize...

The answer to the question “How’s life” depends - not on how much food is in the fridge, the clothes you wear, how much money is in the account, or even your health - IT DEPENDS ON THE STATE OF THE TEMPLE. On the state of your relationship with God.

If you’re relationship with God is deep and intimate what circumstance could possibly eclipse the fact that you are in a loving relationship with the God who made you? Who created you? Who knit you together in your mother’s womb and set forth a holy purpose that only you can walk in. What could possibly matter more than that?

Outro

The truth is my dad was right both times. He had a way of doing that - always being right - I learn that more and more as I get older.

Without an all satisfying relationship with God we will never be satisfied. It doesn’t matter how much we have or don’t, we’ll always want more. We’ll keep spending money as soon as we get it, hoping this next trinket will satisfy us. We’ll keep searching for lovers, and relationships that give us a fix. Or we’ll keep searching for the next high, the next drink, the next Netflix series. We’ll never be satisfied.

But, if we build the temple. If we follow Christ and submit to the convictions to be holy and pure - loving and kind, if we are sanctified and our relationship with Him our first priority, we will literally NEVER be in need.

How’s life?

I don’t know your answer but let me tell you the one that’s available to you.

I rejoice in the Lord always, let me say it again I REJOICE! I’m anxious for nothing, but every time something comes up I seek God. When I’m grateful this peace of God witch transcends all understanding guards my heart from anger and depression. I focus on the good things. On love, charity, the sun and the rain. On the things God has seen me through and the promises in His word. If you do the same, His peace will rest on you. Thank you for your concern, I know it’s out of love, but understand this I have found the SECRET OF PEACE. It is Christ. He gives me a joy that can’t be shaken and strength to carry on. Life is good.

What’s it going to take? Putting your relationship with God above all things. The Holy Spirit will give you the particulars if you ask.