Repentance – Haggai 1:14

So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God.

Within days of Haggai delivering the Lord’s message to repent of their spiritual lethargy and self-indulgence, the people of Judah enthusiastically began the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem.  They had made an earlier attempt to restore the temple, but when opposition rose up against their efforts, they put down the work for a more opportune season and went about the business of restoring their own homes and gathering goods for themselves.[1]  However, this time nothing would dissuade them from their appointed task.  Having heard and listened to the truth, they not only received the message with excitement as the Spirit stirred their hearts, but they also acted according to the Lord’s instruction to them.  While their former lack of devotion and faithfulness had been displeasing to the Lord, He honored their acts of repentance and rewarded their obedience to heed His admonition by forgiving their sins against Him and showering His blessings upon them.[2]

The wise Christian follows the example of the ancient Jews’ commitment to repent of their sins and serve the Lord afresh.  For the Lord delights in those who, out of a desire to become more like Jesus, not only hear the Word with gladness, but obey it, shedding the old and putting on the new.[3]  Yet, we often respond more like those who receive the Word with joy, only to walk away with unchanged hearts.[4]  Our love of truth too often resembles the morning cloud and the dew, which covers the sky and visits the earth for but a brief moment.  Though the Word may touch our hearts, our lives remain as they were before we received the revelation of truth that should have brought us to repentance.[5]

As the Lord has given you ears to hear the truth and eyes to see His glory and majesty all around you, allow His Word to build you up and sanctify you.[6]  Listen to it intently; receive it with jubilation, and having listened and received, act upon it.  Follow its instruction, and you will go out with gladness and walk in peace as the mountains and hills break forth in shouts of joy before you and as the trees of the field clap their hands.[7]

[1] Ezra 4:4, Haggai 1:2-4

[2] Haggai 2:18-19

[3] 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

[4] Ezekiel 33:31-32

[5] Hosea 6:4

[6] Acts 20:32

[7] Isaiah 55:11-12