Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Nov 16 2019 - Haggai 1 – A call to rebuild the Lord's house

You may remember that we came across Haggai in the book of Ezra. There we learned how the building of the temple had come to a stop but had later been resumed after King Darius of Persia said that anyone hindering it should be put to death. We then read:

The elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah… They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. (Ezra 6:14)

Haggai and Zechariah were both prophets whose words encouraged the rebuilding and completion of the temple under the project management of Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, and during the time of Joshua the high priest.

And it seems from Haggai chapter one that the people needed some encouragement to get back to work on the temple. They seemed to have taken the temporary stoppage in temple building as an opportunity to complete their own homes and to make them as comfortable as possible, complete with wood panelling. Haggai tells them that they should put the same, if not greater effort into building the temple that had remained a half-built ruin. Their lack of zeal for the Lord and for the temple where he was to be honoured and worshipped was the reason for their poor harvests and poor returns on their labour. It was as if they were working to "earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it" (v. 6). The Lord tells them that if they will only focus their attention on building his house and honouring him the Lord will bless them rather than afflicting them with drought and making the labour of their hands yield such poor results.

And the people listened to the word of the Lord delivered through Haggai:

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. (v. 14)

Haggai now assured them that the Lord was with them in their work.

There is nothing wrong with us wanting to make a comfortable home for ourselves and our families. The problem arises when we pursue these things at the expense of our devotion to God our loving heavenly Father who is the author of all of the good things we enjoy. The apostle Paul tells Timothy:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Did you notice that Paul says that God provides us with the things we possess that we might enjoy them? All the good things of this life are to be enjoyed with thanksgiving. But he also commands us to be generous with all we possess; to recognise that they are given us by God not solely for our own enjoyment, but also for the blessing of others who may be in need. Our focus is not to be primarily upon ourselves but upon God who has blessed us and given us a hope of glory to come. Our focus is then to be on others with whom we can share the good things God has given us and especially with whom we may share Christ, the very best and most precious of all God's gifts.

Lord, we know how easy it is to turn to you when we are in need, but neglect you when all seems well with our lives. Help us never to lose sight of the debt of love and thankfulness we owe to you. Teach us how that love may be displayed as we serve you through serving others.

Nov 16 2020 - John 10:22-42 – I and the Father are one

Jesus often spoke of his unity with the Father – a unity of mind, purpose and action. But none of these sayings is more precious than this: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand" (John 10:27-29). The Father and the Son (and, we might add, the Spirit), are united in saving purpose. The Father so loved the world that he sent his Son to save us. The Son so loved us that he came and gave himself for us. Both Father and Son are intent upon seeking and saving that which was lost, and upon ensuring that those sought and saved are never lost again. No wonder Paul can say:

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39)

There are many uncertainties in life, but here is a certainty in life and in death; it is sealed by the promise of the Father, the blood of the Son and the power of the Spirit. This truth was wonderfully expressed in an old hymn by Augustus Toplady:

The work which his goodness began, the arm of his strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen, and never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now, nor all things below or above,
Can make him His purpose forgo, or sever my soul from his love.

My name from the palms of his hands eternity will not erase;
Impressed on his heart it remains, in marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure, as sure as the earnest is giv’n;
More happy, but not more secure, the glorified spirits in heav’n.

Those who have come to trust in Christ and follow him are safe in his keeping. They are held fast in the mighty hands of the Father and of the Son and kept safe by the power of the Spirit.

Father God, I praise you for the assurance given by your Spirit that I am your child and will never be disowned. Help me by that same Spirit to live as your child, reflecting the character and purpose made visible in Christ, my elder brother. Let me never make confidence the grounds for carelessness or security an excuse for sin.

Peter Misselbrook