A New House

One of the most fun parts of my job is helping a family close and get the keys to their new house. There is such anticipation and excitement as they disconnect and move from their current house to a new house. The comparisons begin immediately about how the new house is more spacious and flows much better. The laundry room is bigger, the floors are nicer, etc… There are other times when a person is buying a home and they have to visualize how it could be, because it’s currently quite a mess. They have a vision for the house and that drives them in the purchase phase as well as the rehab phase.

The Lord was challenging His people to rebuild the temple and it would become greater than before. It was hard for many of them to imagine because all they could see was an old run down big building that was really in ruins. Check this out…

3 “Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,” declares the Lord. “Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares the Lord, “and work. For I am with you,” declares the Lord Almighty. 5 “This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.”

9 “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will grant peace,” declares the Lord Almighty.’ (Haggai 2:3-5;9 NIV)

The Lord is certainly in the rehab and restoring business and it’s not just with buildings. At the time of Haggai, the Lord’s Presence dwelt in the temple. He now makes His dwelling place the hearts of those who love Him and are committed to Him. He restores the hearts of those who once knew Him and welcomed Him but then left Him. He often restores their “temple” (aka their heart) to even greater significance because He can.

The restoring process of my heart can be somewhat painful as He pulls down the old wall coverings and even the walls themselves and builds all new walls and floors in my soul. He rebuilds me from the ground up and the process, while painful is so worth it. The finished product is really much improved.

Lord, renovate my soul today to make my heart a home for you!

Pressing On!

Dwayne