Preaching and Progress

May 8–Ezra 5-8

“When. . .Haggai the prophet and Zechariah. . .prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem. . .then Zerubbabel. . .arose and began to rebuild the house of God. . .and the prophets of God were with them supporting them”(5:1-2).

“And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo” (6:14).

The temple project was going nowhere. After a promising start, political interference and powerful enemies discouraged and delayed construction. No forward momentum. No enthusiasm.

One day, the prophet Haggai stood to speak. “You say you don’t have time or money to build the temple,” he shouted with laser-like moral clarity, “but you have had plenty of both to build your own houses! No wonder the Lord is withholding His blessings.” See today’s reading and Haggai 1.

What a sermon it was! Words with penetrating power. As Haggai spoke, the people felt the conviction of God.

They began again that day. They repented and believed. Picked up their tools. Adjusted their schedules. Experienced what the New Testament would later call, “the washing of the water of the Word.”

Beginning again is, sometimes, the most important decision of all. Easy for us to drift from God. In the power of the Spirit, prophets/preachers call us back. The greatest failure is not stumbling. Quitting is.

As I sat in church recently, my pastor spoke words from God that reignited a place in my heart that has gradually grown cold. God used him to help me make progress.

Friend, if you are a teacher or preacher, is it God’s word your people hear when you speak? Do you seek Him so that He can speak through you? If you are a member of a body, do you pray the filling of the Spirit for your pastor? Do you realize how much you NEED your pastor(s)? He plays an essential role in God’s plan for your welfare! When God’s word is preached, progress is possible!

“Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord’ “(Ezekiel 37:4).

“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).