God uses imperfect people
God uses imperfect people who have disappointed him greatly to do great things when they decide to turn their lives around.
God told the Jews through Moses that if they did not obey the covenant he would punish them. The final punishment if they continued to rebel would be expulsion from the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 28:63-68)
After many centuries of neglecting God the Jews were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. The captivity lasted 70 years.
After that time God used Persian rulers to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem. These kings told those who wanted to return to go and rebuild the temple to God. Some returned but for almost twenty years they worked their land, built nice homes and neglected the temple. They said that the time was not right to rebuild. (Haggai 1:2-11)
People can change
The prophet Haggai told them that the time had come and they were to stop focusing only on their own profit and build the temple.
They began to rebuild the temple. Some of the older leaders who had seen the temple build by Solomon knew that this would be a far inferior building and wept. (Ezra 3:8-13; Haggai 1:12-2:3)
God blesses imperfect people when they decide to change
Haggai told them that God would bring greater glory to this newer inferior temple. He also said that God would give peace there.
He did that when Jesus walked and taught on the grounds of this temple.
God worked his greatest miracle there. He sent the Messiah who brought forgiveness and the possibility for true peace between people and God and among people who had hurt each other.
The people who returned to Jerusalem and neglected God had separated themselves from him. When they changed their priorities God blessed them. (Haggai 2:9-19)
How has God used imperfect parts of your life to serve others?
What are imperfect parts of your life that you really don’t think God can use?
Do you ever think that you have disqualified yourself from serving God and others because of past mistakes?
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Right on the money, Bob. Well said.