Then
Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s
message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” Haggai
1:13
I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For this morning, my focus is commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:13, which outlines this verse as both the the first and subdivision of 1:13-15 and for this morning I explore the second subdivision from the commentary which is entitled The Lord Promises His Presence to His People to Stir Them to Obedience. Excerpts from the commentary for this second subdivision:
- "What is this promise that God felt so compelled to declare to His people? Simply put, He promises that He is with them. This is no small thing. This promise indicates a change in tone from the Lord. The people were disobedient, so He compelled them to obey. Then they turned from their sin and embraced righteousness, so God immediately began to affirm them and His presence among them. He is with them, and He will be with them. This is a promise of comfort, it is a promise of blessing, and most of all, it is the promise of grace."
- We should be greatly comforted for how God declares that He is with us not just at any moment in time but always as scripture repeatedly shares how God is with this. The commentary points us to Deuteronomy 31:6, but there are others including Matthew 28:20 where Jesus commands His disciples to go out into the world to deliver the gospel (The Great Commission) sharing "I am with you always, to the end of the age." See also Romans 8:38-39 where Paul shares that nothing can separate believers from the love of God.
- The commentary describes moments of weakness we are all apt to have, including where Peter disavows knowing Jesus after Jesus' arrest that night in the garden of Gethsemane. In these moments we should lean on and take strength being confident in how God is with us always. "God is with us, and He will conquer evil in the end. This confidence allows Christians to be like no other group throughout history and to thrive even when we are seemingly being defeated."
- Christ's resurrection gives us confidence that ultimately we will defeat both sin and death and be with Jesus eternally.
- The commentary describes how this verse also emphasizes God's grace and how we should always know how faithful God is and how His grace never ends - despite our sin. See also 1 Timothy 1:15 and Romans 5:8.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good and the promise of Your love and grace and how we can never be separated from Your love and grace is incredible - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily. My sin continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
