There is a particular incident mentioned in the book of
Haggai when God stirred up the spirit of people to come and work on a task.
Haggai when God stirred up the spirit of people to come and work on a task.
Haggai 1:13-15
“Then
Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord. So the Lord stirred
up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and
the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the
spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to
work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month.” (NIV)
Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord. So the Lord stirred
up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and
the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the
spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to
work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month.” (NIV)
Other
translation says that the Lord “sparked
the enthusiasm” (NLT). This stirring started after God rebuked the people
for their slackness and then people decided to obey the word of God which came
to them. It also says that they feared the Lord. It was followed by another message from God –
“I am with you”.
translation says that the Lord “sparked
the enthusiasm” (NLT). This stirring started after God rebuked the people
for their slackness and then people decided to obey the word of God which came
to them. It also says that they feared the Lord. It was followed by another message from God –
“I am with you”.
“I am with you” is really comforting when
it comes from the creator God who holds everything in his hands. What else do
we need if we get that assurance? It resulted in people getting stirred in their
spirit to go ahead and start the work they were supposed to do. Let me list the
sequence of events again here.
it comes from the creator God who holds everything in his hands. What else do
we need if we get that assurance? It resulted in people getting stirred in their
spirit to go ahead and start the work they were supposed to do. Let me list the
sequence of events again here.
1.
God rebukes people
God rebukes people
2.
People obeyed
People obeyed
3.
They feared the Lord
They feared the Lord
4.
Promise comes from God – “I am with you”
Promise comes from God – “I am with you”
5.
People are sparked to enthusiasm or stirred up
the spirit
People are sparked to enthusiasm or stirred up
the spirit
6.
They go ahead and do the work
They go ahead and do the work
Many times we lose heart and get discouraged. We are not
sure what to do next. May be backsliding has hit us badly. How we react to the
voice of God matters a lot. If we obey and believe what He says, then we can
move ahead. So times we lose heart because we don’t remind ourselves about the
promises which God has made in our lives. Jesus also said to His disciples that
they will not be left as orphans but He will be with them.
sure what to do next. May be backsliding has hit us badly. How we react to the
voice of God matters a lot. If we obey and believe what He says, then we can
move ahead. So times we lose heart because we don’t remind ourselves about the
promises which God has made in our lives. Jesus also said to His disciples that
they will not be left as orphans but He will be with them.
Paul said something in 2 Cor. 9:2
For I know your
eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about
it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you
in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has
stirred most of them to action. (NIV)
eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about
it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you
in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has
stirred most of them to action. (NIV)
Knowing about the
service done by Corinthian church stirred the enthusiasm of many to action. Are
we in need of a stirring today? Are we slack regarding certain things we should
do? Do we need an encouragement?
service done by Corinthian church stirred the enthusiasm of many to action. Are
we in need of a stirring today? Are we slack regarding certain things we should
do? Do we need an encouragement?
When we get self-focused and tend to look too much towards ourselves,
we begin to lose enthusiasm. Some time
we need a stirring from the Lord. For that we need to obey. Other times we need
to look around. Finally we need to believe the word of God.
we begin to lose enthusiasm. Some time
we need a stirring from the Lord. For that we need to obey. Other times we need
to look around. Finally we need to believe the word of God.
God says “I am with you”. You may think it’s impossible but
God is with you.
God is with you.
May the Lord stir your spirits to do things which are in His
mind. May your enthusiasm be sparked.
mind. May your enthusiasm be sparked.