Hurry Up and Wait

Haggai 2:10-19

Hurry Up and Wait Why aren’t we being blessed right

NOW? – Holiness is not accidental– Defilement is insidious

Hurry Up and Wait Why aren’t we being blessed right

NOW?Life in a cause/effect universe

– disappointing results– divine opposition

mildew

hail

blasting wind

Hurry Up and Wait Why aren’t we being blessed right

NOW?Life in a cause/effect universe

– disappointing results– divine opposition– delayed blessing

Hurry Up and Wait The summers extend from May to September, and are hot and almost completely dry. During this time, the main crops are harvested: wheat in May and June, and grapes in August and September. In October and November the early rains were expected. These softened the ground and allowed it to be ploughed and planted with grain seed for the following year's crop.

Hurry Up and Wait During the winter months of December, January, and February, the weather grew colder, with rain at intervals, or even with snow. The farmers hoped for more rain in March or April to help the growing grain crops to mature well. Since the total rainfall over the whole year was not very great, even small decreases could have severe effect on the crops, and cause real hardship to the people." (Pieter Verhoef, 131)

How does God bless His people?

• Material Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. James 1:17

How does God bless His people?

• Material And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

How does God bless His people?

• Material And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed…. 2 Corinthians 9:8

How does God bless His people?

• Material• Suffering

s

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake…. Philippians 1:29

How does God bless His people?

• Material• Suffering

s

…to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:12-14

How does God bless His people?

• Material• Suffering

s

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

How does God bless His people?

• Material• Suffering

s• Spiritual

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

How does God bless His people?

• Material• Suffering

s• Spiritual• Hope

Is the seed still in the barn? Even including the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree, it has not borne fruit. Yet from this day on I will bless you.

Haggai 2:19