Haggai, Part 6

God Chose You - Haggai 2:20-23

The Times

Haggai delivered a message earlier in the day, but God isn't finished. On the same day a second message is spoken directly to  Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah.

The first message proclaimed prosperity to the obedient people. The next is more sobering as it tells the governor of  tumultuous times to come. However, the message also offers encouragement as God says, "I will take you," in the midst of the turmoil.

Current Application

It seems that something alarming is always looming on the horizon for those of us here on earth...high energy costs, terrorism, scary economic times, bird flu, global warming, and vaccine shortages. You name it and it has probably tried to scare us at some point during the last ten years. But fear isn't of the Lord. Although it's prudent to prepare as best we can, it's more important to remember that God chose us...even before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).

Scary times are always knocking on some door within the pages of the Bible, but God is always telling His children to be brave and courageous. Why? Because He's with them. Why is He with them? Because He chose them. It's the same with us today; we face scary times and God is with us because He chose us.

Modern Inspiration

When my sons were little, Pokemon was the fad. Pokemon was a Japanese cartoon that followed good  trainers and evil trainers who had Pokemon creatures that battled on their behalf. As far as I could tell each Pokemon had special powers. When a trainer needed those specific traits he'd call the appropriate Pokemon's name and yell, "I choose YOU!" The faithful little Pokemon would fly into action despite the chaos that swirled around them.

Even though we are a far cry from those odd little cartoon characters, there are similarities between the Pokemons and practical Christianity. Just like the Pokemon trainers obtained their little helpers, God obtained us through Jesus' shed blood and our acceptance of His gift of salvation. He even chose us long before Jesus' selfless act on the cross.

How wonderful that God chose to adopt us into His spiritual family and He's blessed when we respond obediently. Just like the Pokemon, we all have special gifts and talents that God can use in specific instances. When we hear His call..."Shona, I choose YOU!" we bless Him when we respond. Not only did He choose us to be His children, He chooses us to help with kingdom work.

Key Verse

Haggai 2:20-23 "On that day, says the Lord of Hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you, say the Lord of Hosts." (NRSV)

This Week

Ponder what it really means that God has chosen you. What a wonderful thing it is that the Master of the Universe chose you and me! In the midst of this awesome revelation, consider how you can use the following lessons from Haggai to show your appreciation for what God has done for you:

• Be enthusiastic: it's contagious and keeps us from becoming complacent.
• Establish priorities: helps us focus on God's desires.
• Persist:  leads us to abundant living.
• Join together: an enthusiastic and persistent community with the right priorities will further God's kingdom in miraculous ways.
• Step out in faith: the more we step out with faith, the more our faith grows.

And never, ever forget, God chose YOU!

(c)2008 Shona Neff