Hail
By Peggy Kleckner
“I struck all
the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to
me, declares the LORD.”
Haggai 2:17
(NIV)
We once experienced hail in our
area. To many, it was an inconvenience, an oddity. It lasted only a short
period of time. Maybe it kept them indoors; maybe they had to run for cover
while they were at the State Fair; maybe they watched from a front room window.
Did it bring to anyone’s heart the thought of God? His sovereignty?
What about those with gardens? Did
they see the work of their hands demolished in a few short minutes? The work of
their hands - - breaking up the soil, planting, weeding, watering, pruning etc.
- - all perhaps brought to ruin in a few short minutes. Were they just
beginning to harvest the fruit of their labor? Did it seem unfair or even
cruel? Were they angry, seeing God as unjust?
Let’s broaden our view. What about
the droughts, the mudslides, the hurricanes? Are these also not under the
sovereign hand of God? Are not all of these things troubling our world today,
impacting all of us?
Who then is seeking God? The verse above
says that God Himself struck their work and then it says sadly, “yet you did
not turn to me.” God is not cruel; He is compassionate. If the fruit of our own
work brings contentment without God, it isn’t true contentment. We have been
seduced by a lie, blinded by the enemy. Our days will end without Him and we
will have lost the greater for a meager handful.
It is His compassion that demolishes
the work of our hands in order to help us seek the greater, a relationship with
Him. A relationship built on truth, not lies.
We are implored to “seek ye first
the kingdom of God
Is it God’s intent to demolish? No,
it is His intent to bless. Haggai 2:19
(NIV) says this: “Is there any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and
the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. From
this day on, I will bless you.”
Come, let us return to the LORD.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Where in your life are you experiencing famine, drought or hail?
2. Instead of trying harder are you willing to
seek God?
FURTHER READING
Peggy is a wife
and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an
active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.
