When Planting the Tree Yields Little Fruit

You have planted much, but have harvested little.... - Haggai 1:6

This last week we studied the famous section from the New Testament Book of Galatians: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law - Galatians 5:22,23.

Have you ever been on the front end of a new project or some new endeavor? Have you worked and worked only to realize what seems to be little or even nothing for your efforts? Such was the case for the believers who joined in with Haggai during his time. In this instance, God eventually spoke through the prophet Haggai to inform the people why their efforts were not yielding the desired result.

There was a specific reason this was happening.

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands - Haggai 1:9-11

God had finally had enough. His priorities were not His people's priorities. As valuable as they may have been to their group, they weren't shared by their maker. So, He withheld in order to get their attention. Zerubbabel was governor of Judah at the time. He was a godly man who sought to do God's will. He listened as the prophet gave these words; then he responded.

Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, 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 - Haggai 1:12

Our God is proactive. He is a God that will stir up the spirit of one man to initiate needed change. He will do it even if it is just one life affected. He certainly will do it to an entire people whom He has called. In this case Zerubbabel was that man. Scriptures say, The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel - Haggai 1:14

I believe that God is stirring up the spirit of a remnant of believers throughout the world today. These ones are getting a fresh vision. They are seeing what God envisions for His people to accomplish and they are seeing what breaks God's heart. But more than this they're responding.

Has God placed the spirit of Zerubbabel in you? Are you one who will make a difference for the Kingdom, or are you concerned about building bigger and better barns and gathering more stuff? The Lord is calling forth His people in these days to make a difference. Ask Him what He wants to do through you. Should you need help in figuring it out give me a shout. My vision is to help others find out that sweet spot where God gets you right where He wants you...to use you mightily! I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~