Haggai 2:1-9 9 "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts."
1. The Reasons For Discouragement:
(a) The Past 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
Pentecost, Reformation, The Great Awakening - Wesley, Whitfield, 1859 - Revival
Eccl 7:10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
(b) The Present - Others prosper - 2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
(c) The Project - Discouraged as soon as they began to build
The second Temple was a pitiful comparison to Solomon’s Temple.
The second Temple didn’t have the Ark of the Covenant.
The second Temple was facing all kinds of construction delays and problems.
2. The Reality Of Discouragement
compare Ch 2:1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,
with Ch 1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, 15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
They recommenced the rebuilding – the 24th day of the sixth month. (24th Sept).
when Haggai came with this second message, which in effect was a message of encouragement, It was on the 21st day of the seventh month (21st October).
In less than four weeks after the work had recommenced it slowed.
William Ward said - Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past,
distaste for the present, and distrust of the future.
It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow.
It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.
3. The Remedy For Discouragement
(i) God's Continuing Presence: - 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
(ii) God's Covenant Promise: - 5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
(iii) God's Coming Purpose: - 9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
It is true DISPENSATIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY, ETERNALLY.
(a) DISPENSATIONALLY - because of The Finality of His Priesthood
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
(b) SPIRITUALLY - because of The Vitality of His Proclamation
We have a Bible message—a message that is Living, Loving, Lifting, & Life - Giving.
(c) ETERNALLY - because of The Eternity of His Peace
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
4. The Revelation in Discouragement
(a) It Is God’s Work - 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
God repeats the words “Be Strong” three times in v. 4
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
(b) It Is God’s Will - 9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
From the world’s perspective, why build at all. Why embarrass yourself?
(c) It is God's Word - 6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
Solomon’s temple led to the downfall of Judah and the exile of Israel. But this house would lead to the arrival of the Saviour of the World.
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
In the 1700s David Brainerd wrote in his journal, "My heart sank. It seemed to me that I’d never have any success among the Indians. My soul was weary of my life. I longed for death."
Finally three and half years into his work he saw about 150 native Americans saved.
Brainerd died a year later at the age of 29, and his work seemed to stop completely.
When someone asked William Carey what inspired him to devote his life to missions, he pointed to the journals of David Brainerd
When John Wesley wanted to revive his workers he pointed to David Brainerd
