Reading 84 • December 7
Today's Scripture
Haggai 1:1–15
In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest: Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house. Then the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and you that earn wages earn wages to put them into a bag with holes. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. You have looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the soil produces, on human beings and animals, and on all their labors.
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of the prophet Haggai, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, saying, I am with you, says the Lord. And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month. (NRSV)
Reflection
“I am with you, says the Lord.” (Haggai 1:13)
Haggai’s words are as relevant as ever today. He spoke into a moment when God’s people had grown comfortable tending to their own houses while the house of the Lord lay in ruins. It was not that they had rejected God outright; rather, the demands of daily life had taken precedence.
In the swirl of daily life, I intend to be faithful, yet my priorities are often shaped by anxiety and convenience. Amid the busyness of life, I often spend more time putting my house in order, rather than trusting in God’s purposes.
Haggai’s prophetic challenge is an invitation to re-center our lives. The people’s response provides a model for us: they listened, they took the word to heart, and they began again. And in that moment of obedience, God declares, “I am with you.” This is grace. God does not wait for perfect faithfulness; God draws near as we turn our hearts back toward divine purposes.
May we affirm our work, whether building up each other or through acts of justice and compassion, as a response to God’s initiating grace. Haggai reminds us that renewal begins not in our effort but in God’s presence stirring our spirits. As we reorder our priorities toward God’s mission, we discover that God is already at work before us.
This Advent season, and into the coming year, may we all try to avoid the distractions of our busyness and focus on what God would have us say and/or do in the ministry of God’s love.
Prayer
Holy and gracious God, turn my heart toward you. Where I have become distracted or complacent, awaken me by your Spirit. Reorder my priorities so that my life reflects your justice, mercy, and steadfast love. Stir within me the courage to respond to your call, trusting that you are with me in every act of faithfulness. Amen.
Written by Marc Miller, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email
YouTube
Podcasts
/fourthchurch
#fourthchurch
@fourthchicago