Haggai and Hard Times
Our sermon this Sunday was on the book of Haggai, and its parallels with the economic situation in America today. The book of Haggai is takes place about 10 to 15 years after the Israelites had started rebuilding the Temple - but they had stopped just after the foundation was complete. They started focusing on material things, like building their homes, and Israel sunk into a "recession". They had drought and famine, and during those times they completely neglected God's temple. Haggai reminded them that their priorities were way out of order. The theme of Haggai is pretty much the same as Matthew 6:25-34, particularly verse 33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
I left church today with a lot of thoughts in my mind about the worries I've had about our current economic situation. God never promises us prosperity - in fact, we're warned many times against the dangers of riches - but we can be sure that God takes care of His people.
I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
Psalm 37:25
Categories:
Christianity
Mal 4:5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.
Mal 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
Given the stunning percentage of American children growing up in a home where their biological father is absent, it is not so surprising that our land is enduring a curse.