Day 3 – That God May Dwell Amongst Us

(Haggai  2: 1-9)

When the captives of Israel returned from Babylon through the decree of Cyrus, they started building the house of God but gradually, the work stopped, and the people abandoned the building of God’s house because of pressures and other distractions. Everyone concentrated on His own house and personal business while the house of the Lord was left neglected.

Be about His business

The prophet Haggai called the people to go back to what they have started and finish it. He called them to reorder their priorities. God through Haggai told the people that they can only find true joy and fulfilment by delighting themselves in Him and being about His business. Their efforts in building their own personal houses and businesses while neglecting the house of God will not be rewarded.

God was pleased with the people when they obeyed the prophet’s call, and returned to building God’s house.  God is always looking for an act of obedience from us as a reason to bless us. If you will go back to doing the things God had called you to do, which you have neglected or abandoned, God will bless the works of your hands.

God is with you and His spirit will empower you

He does not wait until you have completed before He blesses, He only wants to see your obedience. You don’t have to worry how you can finish the assignment that seems so huge, God says “I am with you” (1:13) and “ My spirit is among you (2:15). This is an assurance and encouragement to be strong and continue the work of God, knowing that God is with you and His spirit will empower you and provide all you need to finish it.

God takes great pleasure in His house because it’s His dwelling among humans. When we build Him a house, He comes to dwell among us, and His glory will be seen in us. He promised greater glory for the latter house. God’s plan is that the church will have greater glory than the temple in Jerusalem.

Build His house, that God may dwell

Let us therefore build His house, the Church, that God may dwell among us. The starting point to building God the house He can dwell in is to make our individual lives a dwelling place for God. when He dwells in us individually, He will dwell amongst us as a community of His people.

“And have them make me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them“

Exodus 25:8