
AUGUST 29 - HAGGAI
READ Haggai 1
Haggai explains that God´s people suffer because they neglect to finish the temple.
INSIGHT
As the children of Israel return from the Babylonian captivity, their first order of business is to rebuild the temple. Haggai, a prophet of God who is ministering at the time, encourages the people to work hard at restoring the temple. With great enthusiasm, they quickly lay the foundation. But discouragement sets in and work on the temple is soon forgotten as they begin to build their own houses. Finally, after 15 years, Haggai tells them that the afflictions they are suffering are because of their neglect of the temple. They must finish the temple first and then resume building their houses. First things first. God demands proper priorities.
PRAYER
Offer the Lord this psalm of praise as you express your gratitude for His justice:
He prayed, “O Lord , God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!
(2 Chronicles 20:6).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
You have broken me — now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt
(Psalm 51:7-9).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life (John 4:14).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Haggai explains that God´s people suffer because they neglect to finish the temple.
INSIGHT
As the children of Israel return from the Babylonian captivity, their first order of business is to rebuild the temple. Haggai, a prophet of God who is ministering at the time, encourages the people to work hard at restoring the temple. With great enthusiasm, they quickly lay the foundation. But discouragement sets in and work on the temple is soon forgotten as they begin to build their own houses. Finally, after 15 years, Haggai tells them that the afflictions they are suffering are because of their neglect of the temple. They must finish the temple first and then resume building their houses. First things first. God demands proper priorities.
PRAYER
Offer the Lord this psalm of praise as you express your gratitude for His justice:
He prayed, “O Lord , God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!
(2 Chronicles 20:6).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
You have broken me — now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt
(Psalm 51:7-9).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life (John 4:14).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Your development of an eternal perspective
- Your spiritual goals
- Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
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