Character Study

“For this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” [Haggai 2.6-9]

While it is one thing to see this prophecy by Haggai and try to figure out the timing of this event, it is quite another to consider the character of God represented by the prophecy.

What I see here is that God is indeed in the habit of returning to His people. And, when He does, the elements (heaven and earth) tend to respond as if they are shakeable. 

God's glory never leaves any place the same as it previously was. God's glory tends to be accompanied by everything considered precious by humanity (gold, silver, precious jewels). God, in His glory, tends to bring peace.

So, I feel confident that I can depend on God and can anticipate a revival of relationship between Him and His people.

In this revival of relationship with God, I feel confident I can expect those things, that seem immovable, to move. The elements around me are, in fact, temporary.

When God restores relationship with people (restores His glory upon them), they will be different - affluence most always accompanies God's glory upon His own. But even more so, God's peace makes the material blessing seem insignificant.

This pattern is seen throughout the Bible when God restores His own.

Father, come to us like never before! Even so, come Lord Jesus!