“Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, saying, I am with you, says the Lord. And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God…” (Haggai 1:13-14).
God has often stirred up the spirit of God’s people, encouraging, enabling, and empowering them to be about God’s will, doing more than they thought they ever could. Even during the season of Advent we hear of God inspiring Zachariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, John the Baptist, and the residents of Jerusalem and all of Judea. When so many are awakened from spiritual complacency there must be something going on, and when so many turn to God and welcome God’s presence in their lives with shouts of joy and songs of praise it is clearly God who is responsible for the stirring.
Through the words of the prophet Haggai God stirred up “the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God….” And through countless other voices God continues to stir folks up. May we, too, be stirred from our spiritual listlessness until we find ourselves doing more than we ever knew we could. Then we will truly know that the Lord is at work.
Prayer: Lord, stir us up by your word and lead us in lives of faithfulness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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