Stirred Up
- Alan Fong
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Today's Verse:
And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God ~Haggai 1:14
When someone is stirred up, he is aroused to action. He is moved from a state of inactivity to activity. He is motivated to get something done. We are highly motivated when we are stirred up. We are set on accomplishing a goal. We are filled with a burning desire for success. This morning, we read about Zerubbabel and Joshua being stirred up by the Lord.
They were stirred from withdrawal.
“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built” (Haggai 1:2). The remnant who returned laid the foundation for the temple, but ceased working. Their attention turned to building their own houses. In effect, all the Jews became complacent about completing the work on God’s house finished, and focused more on their personal goals. Complacency and indifference kill the work of God. Like the church at Laodicea, we become complacent is when we are rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing. We do not realize we have become poor, naked, and blind. God stirred them from their withdrawal.
They were stirred by God’s Word.
“Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.” God gave these people a heartbreaking message. He bluntly told them that they were neglecting the need to finish the temple. Then He made them realize that He put a curse on their personal efforts. They were doing a lot but accomplished nothing. God gave them a heavy message. After they heard God’s message, they knew they were not doing right, and immediately obeyed the voice of the Lord. Let God’s Word stir you to repentance and fervent activity. Let God’s Word be like a fire burning in your bones (Jeremiah 20:9).
They were stirred in their weight.
Zerubbabel and Joshua were the spiritual backbone of the nation. Once they were stirred to activity, the remnant of the people was also stirred. They recognized the leadership principle that “people do what people see.” They set a good leadership example by “throwing their weight in the right direction.” The leader’s altitude determines the altitude of those who follow. The leader’s enthusiasm and motivation affect the rest of the church and team. When the people saw Zerubbabel and Joshua were stirred by God’s message, they were quickly stirred with the same common goal.
They were stirred to the work.
Collectively, the leaders and the people “came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God.” There was unity. There was unction. There was an undertaking. Instead of every man doing what was in his own interest, they all stopped their personal endeavors and together finished the work of the temple. There is a great work we must do for the Lord. We must be stirred together in getting the work done. Be careful not to allow your personal goals to overshadow what needs to be done for the Lord. Let us be stirred to start and finish the work of the Lord!
Have a stirred-up God Morning!
Reading Schedule: Isaiah 28-30
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