"Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, gave the people this message from the LORD: 'I am with you, says the LORD!'" Haggai 1:13
Yesterday my nephew, Pastor Daniel, shared a beautiful "manger message"* in the morning at church. One of his first reminders to us as a congregation, was God's presence with us from Luke 1:26-29. Knowing God is with us should bring us comfort. He shared an illustration of being in a situation where we might feel the responsibility of overseeing the outcome, until someone with more seniority walks into the room and we give a huge sigh of relief. The weight of the decisions no longer falls to us, and everything is going to be OK.
The prophet Haggai gave this message from the LORD to the people, "I am with you." God's presence with us should calm our hearts and strengthen our spirits, but like Mary when the angel shared the same news with her, it may also trouble us. When God encourages us with His presence, there is usually more ahead. He is reminding us of the peace and power He brings that will enable us to face something we are very aware we cannot handle on our own.
We know from scripture that Mary also responded with awe and amazement. Has hearing that God is with us become too commonplace? How seriously do we take the fact that God is with us? This morning, through an advent devotional** I am reading this year, I was reminded of a familiar old Christmas carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." There is a line in the lyrics that says, "Pleased as man with man to dwell. Jesus, our Immanuel." Not only is God with us now through the coming of Christ into the world, but because of the presence of the Holy Spirit, Christ is in us. It has always been God's desire to dwell with His people. His name, "Immanuel" portrays this truth so beautifully. "God with us."
If we know the Lord as our personal Saviour, He is with us. He is not just with a few chosen, favoured followers. He found Mary, a simple girl, living in a remote place. He can find us in the little corners of our world. We cannot qualify or disqualify ourselves from God's presence. We all find favour with God because of His undeserved, unmerited, unconditional grace.
I love the next verse in Haggai. The prophet continues with this explanation: "So the LORD sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God's people." (1:14a) Maybe that is what is missing in our response to God's presence. Our hearts need to be enlivened with enthusiasm for this truth in a fresh new way. Like the governor, the high priest and the remnant of God's people, we need the Lord to give spark to our spirits and realize afresh what it means that He is with us.
Christ's "withness" is really the heart of the gospel message. It is in this season of Christmas that we take time to reflect on the love that compelled Christ to come and bridge the gap created by our sin so that we can know Him personally. Once we know Him as Saviour, there is nothing that can separate us from His presence (see Romans 8).
Remember in every situation God is with us. Rest in that truth today. If you have casually forgotten the magnitude of this reality as a believer, ask the Lord to infuse you with the renewed enthusiasm with which He moved the hearts of His people in Haggai's day. The living God is living in you. How will that change your life today?
*Daniel's message can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paezv6X9-eU
**Advent Devotional: "Prepare Him Room: 28 Ways to Embrace the Spirit of Christmas"; author Darlene Schacht; Publisher: Time-Warp Wife Ministries; copyright 2024
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