Friday 22 December 2023

The sparking of enthusiasm


"So, the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies..." - Haggai 1:14

Zerubbabel is mentioned as the son of Shealtiel in a number of places in the Bible (see Matthew 1:12) and we note that he was filled with the Spirit and began to restore the house of the Lord, when the people returned from exile. The verse (above) mentions that the Lord 'sparked his enthusiasm' and this led to him doing remarkable things.

We can use different words to describe something similar: 

our hearts being strangely warmed;
filled with the Spirit;
prompted by the Lord.

But they all imply the same thing. God does something in our hearts and spirits, that leads to a changed life.

May we all encounter the renewal of our spirits this Christmas time and may we be 'sparked with enthusiasm' for the things of the Lord. I know that many of us feel as if we truly need it. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

"After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of ShealtielShealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel." - Matthew 1:12


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