12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord. – Haggai 1:12-13 (NIV)
After approximately 15 years of disobedience, self-centeredness, and apathy, God has graciously given these people the opportunity to repent and once again become His people. As the prophet Haggai delivers God’s message, the people genuinely hear what is being spoken. Not just words they can intellectually understand, but the very voice of God cutting into the depths of their hearts. Their relationship with Him has been casual, at best, and they haven’t heard from Him in a long time, but now He is letting them know that their obedience to His voice has restored their covenant relationship with Him – His very presence is with them.
What a blessing to know that if we are still drawing breath, then it’s not too late to experience God’s transforming grace! Even if we’ve been sinning against God for years, even if we’ve developed a habit of ignoring His commands, even if we’ve been making our lives all about us, the Holy Spirit will enable us to hear God’s voice calling us to return to Him and empower us to put to death the sin that has entangled us.
Has the Lord been speaking to you?
Maybe it’s been through a sermon. Maybe through your personal Bible reading time. Maybe it’s been through this 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Maybe it was something else, but you can’t deny that He has been beckoning you by name. There’s no doubt He’s calling you to something greater. It’s beyond question that He’s been inviting you to repent and experience the abundant life He has in store.
How have you responded? Have you acted on it?
We serve a God who can change anyone – yes, even you. And when you respond with active obedience to His voice and see Him with the reverent awe He so rightly deserves, He will bless you with His very presence in your life – and that changes everything!