Haggai 2:1-9 speaks of the glory of the former temple (Solomon’s Temple) and the latter temple rebuilt after the destruction of the original. The context is that the people were confronted with the perceived reality that the rebuilt temple was nothing in comparison with what Solomon had built. Solomon began building the temple with the resources of his father, King David. David had amassed huge stores of gold and silver and other precious metals, the best of the cedars for building, jewels, silks and fine linens. He had brought together stone from the quarry. When Solomon started to build, he was well supplied and then added to it of his own wealth. He had within his resources the most skillful of craftsmen, of wood, stone, metal and of textiles. Solomon had unlimited resources, the best of the best, and the most of the most.
Then, we have Israel’s remnant, a crew of whoever was left. There was no stockpile of building material. There were no stones, cut or uncut. No gold or silver. They were strangers in a foreign land, captives being released to return to their homeland and rebuild. They had only that which a foreign king had granted them. They were not necessarily skilled craftsmen, they were just who was available. As they looked upon the rebuilt temple, having done their best, still their hearts lamented as those who could recalled the temple in Solomon’s day. How could their meager attempt to restore the temple ever compare with what Solomon accomplished?
But then, God spoke. He addressed what was in their hearts, knowing they felt the rebuilt temple was nothing compared to the original. God acknowledges what they all can see; yup, this one ain’t like that first one. Still he says “but now be strong… and work. For I am with you.”
What this spoke to me was that God was not so much wanting the people to enjoy the opulence of a building, but to revel in the glory of his presence among them. It wasn’t the gold and silver that gave the temple its glory, it was when the presence of God, the Desired of the nations, came and filled the house with glory. Solomon’s Temple may have had the glory of what could be seen, but God was promising to show them the Glory that could be known, his actual presence among them. This was the covenant promise given when Israel came out of Egypt, that He would be with them. Even today, Haggai 2:5 speaks, “and my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.”
How easy it is to fall into the comparison trap, thinking that what man brings to the table is the standard by which God measures man. We compare today’s church with the first church. We compare this generation to those before. We look back at the great revivals, Azusa Street, the Welsh revival, the Brownsville revival and wonder where is the revival of today? We set up our heroes of the past with the heroes of today and wonder if we aren’t missing the mark. All this we view from the horizon line of humanity, seeing only from the natural perspective. We say to ourselves “is what we’ve built as good as what they built?” God is saying “Is my presence with you?” This is. The standard I think God uses to measure man..not “what have you built”, but “does my presence dwell within you?”
“Oh glorious Father! How we long to be filled with your presence! Teach us the importance of knowing the difference between valuing doing good work, and finding our value in the work we do. You don’t look at what we bring as much as looking at have we given what we had to give… an emptied vessel waiting to be filled with YOUR presence. Let us not forget while we “build the temple” that the glory doesn’t come from the temple itself, but from the Presence that fills it. Same with us. It’s not about being well educated, rich, good looking, popular, or our lack thereof any of those qualities. It’s about Jesus, knowing him, being full of his life through the Spirit. It’s about ‘do I carry His glorious presence?’ And in all this, may we not compare, fearing we are not enough, but realizing your Spirit is with us, and that’s where the glory is found. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Within Me 
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