2:4-5 I Am With You The Lord encourages the leaders of Jerusalem to be strong in their effort to rebuild the Temple because he is with them. This is a good reminder that when suffering and disability seem to consume us, the Lord is an ever-present strength to help us accomplish the task of honoring him. The prerequisite is that we say yes to the challenge of putting him first.
2:15-19 Blessings for Obedience Obedience requires prayer, thought, and reflection. The Lord’s promised reward for such obedience is priceless. Sometimes we may be tempted to think that suffering, affliction, and hardship give us adequate excuses to focus on ourselves. But we see from Haggai that God does not allow for such excuses. He knows life is tough, but if we give careful thought to his house, he is with us and will bless us with the spiritual and material blessings we really need.