A study of God's people in the old testament times and their life is beneficial for us Christians today, for the many lessons to be learnt. As we read in 1Cor. 10:11: “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come."

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In today's reading, we see the prophet of God, reviving God's people to work for God's sanctuary. These people returned from their captivity and started to rebuild the Temple of God, which lay in ruins. But, the opposition from neighboring cities and the complacency of the people of God, hindered the work. This displeased God and brought calamities and desolation to their lives. Nonetheless, they did not understand the real cause for their distress and went on with their selfish motives. This is the background when God spoke through the prophet Haggai, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (Hagg.1:4)

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We are also admonished thorough this verse, as well as the book of Haggai— a direct application to our lives. In our daily living, we may veer off from the real course without understanding it and end up striving for our own personal comforts. We neglect our prayer life, our daily meditation, our worship sessions, our social responsibilities and end up becoming selfish so that we are not really blessed. This is the status of majority of Christians today. They keep on neglecting the building of their inner life -the Lord’s sanctuary. We read in the 1Corinthians 3:16: “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” Each believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit when he/she is saved. But if he/she neglects to keep it according to God’s standards, then it will be in disarray. It lies in ruins if one runs after the pleasures of this world to adorn oneself. His/her fleshly appetite is fulfilled but the spiritual appetite is neglected. This in turn brings in destruction and dissatisfaction in one's life. So today God is calling us lovingly and encouraging us through the history of God's people—let us strive to build the inner sanctuary!

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Every believer is God's temple and the Spirit of God dwells in us. If we focus our attention on building this temple, then God will be pleased in us and will bless us, as He blessed His chosen ones of old. Let us be humble enough to accept our failures in wandering away for worldly pursuits, and become blessed by truly searching inside, and working with the Lord to build His sanctuary in us. God loves to bless us but according to His condition- not ours.

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As we read in today's passage, when the people of God listened and gave their lives for the cause for which God was calling them, they were blessed. Similarly, we will be blessed if we really hearken to God's call to rebuild the ruins of His temple in us. This will in turn pave the way for a real revival within us and amongst us.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I do understand my failures and I come back to the building of your temple within me. Help me to fulfill Your desires in my life than my own selfish thoughts. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.