These questions go to the nut of the... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

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?
Haggai 2:3.

These questions go to the nut of the problems of the time in Jerusalem. The remnant of the Jews who returned from exile had abandoned work on the rebuilding of the temple. God's questions were not intended to discourage the Jews but to reveal those wrong thoughts and feelings in their hearts that robbed them of the strength and courage needed to continue the work.

It was clear to all that, after being rebuilt, the temple would lack its former glory. They were not in a position to equip it as Solomon had done. And its central part, the ark of the covenant, was lost.

Building castles in the air is, of course, futile. But whoever thinks only of what is no longer in times of decline becomes discouraged and overlooks what God still gives us in His goodness and what He is for His people.

The Jews were downcast. God recognised the fact and knew that what they now saw bore no comparison with the temple before its destruction. But they had to realise that He was still with them - that changed everything! God promised that He would again fill that house with glory in the future.

Today simple gatherings according to the teaching of the New Testament may seem paltry to our way of thinking, especially when we consider the era of the early Christians. But let us remember that the Lord is with us. He associates His Name and presence with such gatherings that, to our mind, seem weak. Doesn't that make us change our attitude?

Today's reading: Judges 9:26-57 · 2 Corinthians 9:1-15