Scripture: Haggai 2: 6-9v (NIV)
Subject: Thriving in an Unfavorable Environment" (Part II)
I: Author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar noted: "It's not the situation, but whether we react negative or respond positive to the situation that is important." The Heroes and Sheroes of our history have proven that to us. Harriet Tubman, Jarena Lee, Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Shirley Chisholm, Fannie Lou Hamer and Rosa Parks have all demonstrated that our response can not only shift the situation/environment but it can also revolutionize it.
II: Haggai whose names comes from the word "festival," was a 6th century prophet during the period of exile. Haggai's prophetic ministry revolved around encouraging the people of God and assisting them with rebuilding the temple of God that was destroyed during the early years of exile. Historically, the book of Haggai is tenth in the twelve short prophetic books at the end of the Old Testament. The unfavorable condition that the people of God now find themselves in within our text, was thought to be the results of unforgivable sins committed by their parents. Haggai uses his second sermon to encourage the people of God and to shift their mentality.
III: We can thrive when we:
#1) Realize that our present is not indicative of what God can do tomorrow
-Rather than the people celebrating what God was doing regardless of their environment, they were instead guilty of complaining, weeping and being discouraged.
-Scholar Warren Wiersbe noted: "the problem with the people is that they were looking back instead of looking ahead. A day that was supposed to be a day of joy and praise became a day of discouragement and complaining."
-Whenever you spend more time looking back rather than looking ahead, you will miss the possibilities of what God can do tomorrow.
#2) Realize that God does not have to change our scene in order to bring about peace and prosperity
-In verses 6-9, God is declaring very boldly that he does not have to change seasons, locations or support systems, in order to bring about success (7v), prosperity (8v) or peace (9v).
-v.6 "in a little while" means it is impending or imminent. That literally means it could occur at anytime!
-God can cause a "shake-up" right where you are!