I told someone once, “God is going to bless you with the opportunity to develop into the best kind of character you can have. He may bless you physically, but mostly He’s going to give you the blessings of learning, and growing, and overcoming.”
As man looks to God in faith, He will bless us to accomplish His purpose, and not necessarily our own. Yet, it is tempting to think of the blessings of God as merely physical. The remnant of Judah that returned to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem fell into this trap when they put their physical needs and desires before God’s will. God, through the prophet Haggai reminded them of their true purpose: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,’ says the Lord… ‘Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house,’” (Haggai 1:7-9).
The work of God has waxed and waned through many centuries and generations. Yet, in Haggai we have been given a wake-up call and stir-to-action: “‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? . . .be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’…My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’” (Haggai 2:3-5).
We are to be strong, knowing that God will accomplish His purpose through His Spirit. There is no obstacle in front of us that God can’t take care of with His Spirit to accomplish His work for all humanity. God’s works through man usually start small, and we are reminded, “…who has despised the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10).
God waits to see our commitment. During Haggai’s time God gave the command to build the temple, and the people responded, but it was not until about three and a half months later that God said He was going to bless them (Haggai 2:18-19). God wants us to have the right priorities. He tests our patience, commitment, and resolve.
Sometimes God tests our faith before He blesses us. We must go forward, trusting that God will accomplish His purpose. As we truly seek God’s will, He will guide and bless the results.
John Prohs