“My Spirit remains among you… So do not be afraid.” – Haggai 2:5
Few know the name of Charles Jennens. He’s the man who provided the lyrics for many of George Frideric Handel’s musical pieces. Despite their frequent disagreements, Jennens and Handel produced magnificent work together. Handel’s Messiah has become a standard for the Christmas season. Jennens selected the lyrics for the oratorio directly from the Bible, much of which come from Old Testament passages pointing to the long-anticipated Messiah.
One such passage is from the prophet Haggai: “Yet once… a little while and I will shake the heavens, and the earth” (2:6, KJV). The people were obsessing over their own wellbeing and neglecting God. He told them, “My house lies in ruins… while all of you are busy building your own fine houses” (1:9). God’s “house”—the temple—foreshadowed His plan to dwell with His people, who didn’t fully understand what that meant.
Speaking on God’s behalf, Haggai reminded them: “My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt” (2:5). He added, “The desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory” (v.7, KJV).
Five hundred years later, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce the arrival of that desire of nations. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “You will conceive and give birth to a son” (Luke 1:30-31). Whatever we face this year, we need not fear. We have the gift of promise: the presence of Jesus.
– Tim Gustafson
What distracts you at Christmas? How might the promise of God’s presence encourage you this season?
Dear Father, thank You for the promise of Your presence. No matter where I am or what situation I’m in, You are always with me. You are my greatest comfort and strength, and in You I have eternal hope. Help me to always be aware of Your presence and trust in Your guidance. Thank You that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“Then on October 17 of that same year, the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai. “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land: ‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendour? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’ “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
