“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,” declares the Lord of hosts. “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former,” says the Lord of hosts. “And in this place I will give peace,” declares the Lord of hosts.
Haggai 2:8-9

The people of Israel had begun to return from their exile. Most of them had not seen the original temple of Solomon, since they had lived their whole lives in Babylon and it had been destroyed before they were born. But there were a few, the older ones, who had seen it as children, seventy years before.

Now they had returned to build a new temple in its place and begin living as a nation once again. God had to teach them all over again what it means to live as God’s people. They had to learn to trust God, to put Him first and expect Him to intervene in miraculous and unexpected ways on their behalf.

Each new generation has to learn this lesson for themselves. The stories in the Bible and the testimony of our God-fearing ancestors in their walk with God give us inspiration and show us how it’s done, but we still have to learn the practical application in our own life, so God will put us in situations where we can only go forward by trusting in Him and putting Him first. We have to learn to pray until we can discern God’s will and purpose and then step out boldly in faith to see it happen.

Father, You’ve put me in this place once again where my only option is to believe Your Word, trust in You to keep it, and step out in faith. Lord, vindicate my faith! I will do this, because Your promises are true. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles