“My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” (Haggai 2:5)
Anyone who looks at the development of our world from a biblical perspective increasingly gets the impression that we are living in the last days. The anti-Christian forces are gearing up for battle – secretly and openly.
Nevertheless the “little flock” has God’s promise (Luke 12:32), a promise that holds even when His people are facing the most difficult testing of their faith. It is comforting for God’s people, His church, to know that the strongest covenant partner is on their side! The Bible verse above assures us: “My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” That is light in darkness, even in the darkness of our time!
The historical background
The words of the prophet Haggai were pronounced around 520 BC. The mighty Babylonian kingdom had collapsed due to the victory of the Persians. Darius ruled in the Persian Dynasty began by Cyrus. Thanks to the leniency of the new government, the Jews who were in Babylonian captivity were allowed to return to Judah and Jerusalem and commence rebuilding the temple. This shows how God can guide hearts to the benefit of His chosen people.
The prophet Haggai was faced with a difficult task. Through him, God tells those who have returned from Babylon: “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4). Times of construction are often times of trial. They can reveal the true disposition of those who are called to work. In this case, their priority for rebuilding did not coincide with that of the Lord. They said: “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built” (Haggai 1:2).
But that changed. And it changed because the Word of God was taken seriously again. The secular and spiritual leaders, namely the governor Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua, as well as the people, took notice. God’s announcement of judgment was no longer ignored. The Spirit of the Lord was at work. They reconsidered their priorities. There was a new spiritual awakening. As a result, God says: “My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” Now the people of God who had returned home could get to work. God was with them!
This word of God is also for us
As a message inspired by God, it is also valid for the New Testament church. The Spirit of God activates the living Word. He convicts, gives knowledge of sin, and makes us willing to repent. Those who are sincere accept God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. They experience salvation and are born again.
The blessings of God are showered upon us through the Holy Spirit. God’s banquet table is lavishly prepared. We read of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. We read of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. The Spirit has these treasures for us. They are part of the normal Christian life. We are told to strive for the best gifts. The best gift according to 1 Corinthians 13 is love.
In our time, it is especially important that the Holy Spirit can work, because only in His power can we remain faithful to the truth of the Bible.. It is therefore comforting that God has promised His Spirit to His people as a perpetual blessing.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love, of prayer, of confidence, certainty, service, and wisdom. The path by which we increasingly experience how and what the Holy Spirit works is called sanctification!
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live in obedience to God’s will. His will must be the first priority in our lives. Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). What entire sanctification signifies is expressed in the following poem:
All I think and speak and do,
let it, Lord, be done for You.
Let there not be anything
not subject to Christ, my King.
May it be my heart’s pursuit
to display the Spirit’s fruit
So that all the world may see
God’s pure love that dwells in me.
The Holy Spirit may withdraw
The Bible says: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). If the Holy Spirit is ignored, quenched, or grieved by self-love, disobedience, unforgiveness, and worldliness, He withdraws. Concerning King Saul, who disobeyed God and did not repent, we read: “But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from God troubled him” (1 Samuel 16:14). In the New Testament, we read about the tragedy of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), who also grieved the Holy Spirit.
We are never alone
If we follow the Lord, we are never alone. “My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” (Haggai 2:5). The Holy Spirit is there for our salvation and to counsel us. He gives us victory over sin, equips us for ministry, empowers us to witness in word and deed, and strengthens us to persevere even in sickness and persecution if need be. By the grace of God and the guidance of His Spirit, we can continue to be faithful until He calls us home. God keeps His promises. That is why we need “not fear” because we have the promise that His Spirit remains with us. He will preserve us and bring us to our goal. Therefore, despite what is happening in the world today, we can live victorious lives because God is faithful, and this gives us comfort.
W.G.
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