Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 17:1-5
Lord, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry;
listen to my prayer— from lips free of deceit.
2 Let my vindication come from you, for you see what is right.
3 You have tested my heart; you have examined me at night.
You have tried me and found nothing evil;
I have determined that my mouth will not sin.
4 Concerning what people do: by the words from your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps are on your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Read the Entire Psalm
Lord hear and pay attention. It is a comfort to know that we can pray to the personal God and ask him to hear us and pay attention. Is he obligated? Can we demand his attention? We can ask for his attention. We can be confident that he turns his attention to those who fear him. Give thanks that God pays attention to you.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Haggai 2:1-9 – New Living Translation
The New Temple’s Diminished Splendor
2 Then on October 17 of that same year, the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai. 2 “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land: 3 ‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! 4 But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 5 My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’
6 “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for those who do not know God. Ask God to help you see the lost people around you and have compassion for them. Ask God for opportunities to build trust. Ask God to give you opportunities to have gospel conversations.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
God’s commands, throughout Scripture, are always founded upon His character and/or His saving work. God doesn’t hang His commands in thin air. Yesterday we focused on God’s three promises in this passage: I am with you, my Spirit remains in your midst, and then a promise of future redemption.
Today, we’ll focus on the three commands that grow out of those promises: be strong, work, and fear not. Notice, God acknowledges the Israelites’ discouragement. He doesn’t rebuke them or condemn them for being discouraged, but He does challenge them to keep moving anyway.
Just like the promises, the commands of this passage pass cleanly from the original context of the Covenant at Sinai and apply to the New Testament believer. Christ commands us, as Christians, to be strong, to work, and to fear not. As you think about what lies ahead today, this week, or this month, how do these commands guide you in how to think and behave?