The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Haggai 2:9,
"'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty."
As the Lord admonishes the Israelites into completing the building of the replacement temple following the return of the remnant from Babylon, he makes this observation. He encourages them that even though sin has brought his judgment and ravaged the nation, all is not lost. As a matter of fact, they can look forward to a future greater glory than what they had in the old temple.
This brings to my mind the future we have in Jesus Christ. Although sin has ravaged God's creation and brought his judgment on all mankind, a glorious future awaits for those who embrace Jesus Christ in faith. Sin has tarnished man, reduced his stature, minimized what the Lord originally created and intended when he brought Adam and Eve into this life.
Yet... all is not lost! As a matter of fact, a greater glory is headed our way, just as the replacement temple was a harbinger of a greater glory for the nation of Israel. Listen to these wonderful words of Paul in Romans 8:18-21,
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God."
"'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty."
As the Lord admonishes the Israelites into completing the building of the replacement temple following the return of the remnant from Babylon, he makes this observation. He encourages them that even though sin has brought his judgment and ravaged the nation, all is not lost. As a matter of fact, they can look forward to a future greater glory than what they had in the old temple.
This brings to my mind the future we have in Jesus Christ. Although sin has ravaged God's creation and brought his judgment on all mankind, a glorious future awaits for those who embrace Jesus Christ in faith. Sin has tarnished man, reduced his stature, minimized what the Lord originally created and intended when he brought Adam and Eve into this life.
Yet... all is not lost! As a matter of fact, a greater glory is headed our way, just as the replacement temple was a harbinger of a greater glory for the nation of Israel. Listen to these wonderful words of Paul in Romans 8:18-21,
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God."
Just how wonderful is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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