Verse: Haggai 1:8
8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
Devotional Thoughts:
Before my preparation for this past Sunday’s sermon, I’d never spent much time studying the story of Haggai. But it’s fascinating on multiple levels, and one such level is included in the verse above.
I want us to note the structure of the Lord’s command in v. 8. He says to “do this” in order “so that.” There’s a cause and effect here. If the Israelites do what is commanded, there’ll be an outcome that is desired by the Lord. In this case, the Israelites are to go, gather wood, and build God’s house, and as a result, the Lord will be pleased and glorified.
Doing what pleases and glorifies the Lord is affirmed as a worthy objective throughout all of Scripture. Jesus was certainly intentional about it. He says in John 8:29, “…I always do the things that are pleasing to [the Father].” In John 17:4, again speaking of the Father, Jesus says, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
Points to Ponder:
The Lord has laid before us – both as individuals and as a church – work to do. To be clear, we’re not working in order to get in God’s “good graces.” God has already shown us grace through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross – our work for the Lord simply comes as a response to that. As Adrian Rogers remarks, “We don’t fight for Victory, we fight from Victory!”
God has already given us the victory. It’s already been won on our behalf. But we, out of love for our Lord, continue the work He’s given us. And doing so pleases and glorifies Him.
There’s no such thing as being too young for God to use you in some way. If you are a believer, there’s work God has for you to do. In the same way, you never “age out” of the Lord’s service. Haggai himself was in his 70s! You may retire from your earthly career but there’s no such thing as a retirement from your heavenly calling.
So – what work can you be doing that would please and glorify our Lord?
