Pastor column: God gives five promises to His Church
The Book of Haggai records that after 15 years, the work on rebuilding the temple still had not been completed. God raised up the prophet Haggai to stir up the people of God to get busy and to get the work done.
Now, this was a difficult time for both the old people and the young people. The old people were sad because things were not like they used to be. The young people were discouraged by the attitude of the old people. In the midst of this turmoil, God used the message of Haggai to bring hope to all the people of God. His message still gives hope to us in this day as well. We live in a day when many are discouraged about the relevance of the church in this world. Others wonder what the future holds for the house of God. Haggai chapter 2 has some words of comfort for all of us.
God promises His Presence! The word of the LORD came to Haggai: “Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD, “and work. For I am with you,” declares the LORD Almighty (Haggai 2:4). Praise God! He will never leave us or forsake His Church! (Hebrews 13:5).
God promises His Peace! God says, “My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear” (Haggai 2:5). He is still with His people and His peace will keep them as they serve Him. Thank God, we have His presence and His peace to sustain us.
God promises His Power! This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land” (Haggai 2:6). God reminds them that He is still in control, regardless of how things look. Praise God that’s still true today! He will demonstrate His power and His sovereignty over sin, Satan and the world.
God promises His Provision! “I will fill this house with glory,” says the LORD Almighty. “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,” declares the LORD Almighty (Haggai 2:7-8). God has not forsaken us! He knows what we need in these days and He will provide … in His time and in His way!
God promises His Potential! “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the LORD Almighty (Haggai 2:9). This verse is referring to the day the Lord Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 18:18). The church Christ is building is unique, unconquerable and unstoppable.
So what does this mean for us? The Church must seize the opportunities God is giving us in these last days, to do His work, His way and watch Him move in power. May we all recognize the fact that God is looking for a people who will rise up and seize the day for His glory!
Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: God's five promises to His Church
