"According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the Lord of hosts. 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts. 'The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the Lord of hosts. 'And in this place, I will give peace,' says the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:6-9 (NKJV)
You might feel like you’ve been captive and now you’re entering a new assignment from God. In the book of Ezra, we read about Israel coming out of captivity to the Babylonians and being called to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed. Solomon’s magnificent temple was nothing but rubble.
God had moved on the hearts of both Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and on the heart of the King-King Cyrus! God foretold of the blessing Cyrus would be to God’s people. In the timing of God, everything was coming into place. God’s plans and purposes were coming to pass as the king made a decree that the temple and the city of Jerusalem be restored, and the displaced Jews were free to return to their homeland.
After 70 years of captivity and the desolation of the holiest of cities-Jerusalem, it is believed about 50,000 Israelites returned to Jerusalem, while many stayed behind. Not only did the people return, but 5400 gold and silver temple items were returned at the order of the king. All the precious temple items King Nebuchadnezzar had taken were being returned and restored!
The older Jews who left as young captives may have been energized throughout this 4-month journey. Their hearts were filled with great expectancy and hope for the future. These elderly gray-haired men and women likely remembered the beauty, glory, and magnificence of Solomon’s temple only to witness the discouraging, devastating destruction.
Bitter tears filled every eye and deep groans burst forth from their parched lips. Their hearts must have been filled with disappointment, hope deferred and great heaviness. Upon entering Jerusalem, they were rattled to the very core of their beings. Their hearts and lives were deeply shaken by the sights, smells, and sounds of their holy city.
You may feel like these captives who had to make a choice and determine to believe God was keeping His promises to restore their lives and return to Jerusalem or stay right where they were and not see the fulfillment of His promises to them.
We also see after hearing the decree-the word of the Lord, every person had to make a choice; stay in Babylon, settle for what they hand and hold onto all their comforts, or step out and face a new challenge. Face the unknown. Would they choose obedience and blessing or disobedience and withheld blessings?
Are you stepping out of your seeming captivity to enter your new assignment? Are you seeing God restoring the things that had once been stolen from you? He is making provision for you to do what He has destined for you in this hour.
Does it feel like your expectations of this change have been met with some unseen challenges? Like many believers throughout the nations of the earth do you feel shaken as well? There is a purpose in the shaking of heaven and earth, sea, and dry land and all the nations of the earth. It is so all nations come to the Desire of All Nations, Jesus! And He will fill us, His Church with glory! Greater glory is our destiny! And it’s in this place of great glory where peace shall be experienced by everyone!
Celebrate your peace and hope emanating from you as you shift the world around you! Be bold as you go forth transforming your sphere of influence. Hold fast to the Word of the Lord as you transition into the new things God has called you to. Oh, what a glorious time to be alive on the earth!
Photo by Kyle Green@unsplash.com
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