Read Haggai 2:1-9. Key Verse: My spirit abides among you; do not fear.
Churches close down. While this is a sad reality, it always hurts us to see that where once a worshiping community met now stands closed. The saddest are those boarded up and neglected, with weeds and tall grass serving as a stay away warning. We wonder, did this church lose its focus and close down as a result of misguided intentions? The truth is that a true connection with God was lost and the people cared to listen to each other instead of God and where their focus may have once, or never, been on the mission field, they chose to leave the building and go elsewhere.
The story in today's passage deals with the exiles returning back to find their temple is now in ruins, the question is asked if it can be restored to that splendor which still lives in their memories and the answer is yes. Anywhere the Spirit of God abides, anything is possible. That's the message for us, no matter how bleak we may see things, we must trust in God, listen to God and do the things we know God would have us do.
In all things, God has the last word.
PRAYER: Loving God of hope and love, speak to us again and again of Your strength to overcome all things. Speak to us of the possible and empower us to do Your will to reach this who do not yet know you. We pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
