When Worship is Good

Haggai 2:1-9

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:  “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?  But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.  ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.  I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.  ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.  ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

Last time, we read of Haggai calling out the returning exiles for building their own houses to excess, but neglecting to rebuild the house of the Lord – the temple.  To their credit, the people listened and began work on the Temple.  It started out well, but they became disheartened.  They quickly realized that they would not be able to build the Temple back to the former glory of the Temple that Solomon built. 

God’s response to their discouragement is important for us to hear.  God says, “I am with you” and “I will fill this house with glory.”  Further, God announces, “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”  The point here is that is not the size, the expense, the beauty, the grandeur, or any other external feature of the Temple that makes it great.  It is God’s choice to inhabit the place that gives the place it’s glory.

One of the churches I served in the past was a relatively new church that had built it’s first building about 12 years before I became their Pastor.  That first building was essentially a gymnasium with classrooms and offices.  The long range plan was to build a sanctuary and eventually worship there, but they are to this day, still worshipping in the “gym.”  They have given up on building the beautiful Sanctuary and some were a bit sad about that.  A few months before I officially became their Pastor, I visited their worship service at the invitation of the current Pastor.  I will remember that day forever.  As we walked in, both Barbara and I would say later that we had a powerful experience of the Lord’s presence as we entered.  It continued as the service progressed.  One thing was certain – the experience we had had nothing to do with the building;  it had everything to do with the “thick” presence of God. 

We all recently went through a time where worship couldn’t have anything to do with a building.  It doesn’t matter.  God shows up and that is enough.  In fact, it is all we ever need.  The early church was kicked out of the only buildings they had ever worshipped in and “each day, the Lord added to their number those that were being saved.” (Acts 2 47).  We often fixate on what we “need.” But all we really need is God.

Prayer:  Faithful God,  forgive us for putting conditions on what we need to worship and serve you.  Help us experience your presence and we shall be satisfied. Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for those that are traveling this week that their journey will be safe and their trips will be fruitful. Amen.

Song:  This Little Light of Mine – Ladysmith Black Mambazo