Divine Perspective or Human Perspective?

November 08, 2022

By Brooke Holt

“For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’” Haggai 2:6-9

God’s perspective and human perspective are often quite different. Where God sees an opportunity to showcase his glory and provision, humankind often sees roadblocks or a lack of resources. God’s invitation for you today is to choose the divine perspective over human perspective. That invitation was also given to the people in Judah through the prophet Haggai.

At the time of Haggai’s ministry in Judah’s history, the temple was only a memory and a vision. The people had returned to Jerusalem and began the work of building the temple only to quit when opposition came against them. Coupled with opposition was the fear of the temple being inferior to the one of Solomon. Human perspective saw resistance and inability. Meanwhile, divine perspective saw future glory.

In these few verses, the Lord reminds his people that all the world’s treasures belong to him. Where they saw human limitations, the Lord was ready to provide abundantly for them. He tells them this temple will surpass the former temple’s glory. This extravagance of the Lord was meant to shake them up and help them see through his perspective and not their own. His plans were good, and he would provide for those plans: “the silver is mine, and the gold is mine” (Haggai 2:8).

Not only does all the treasure belong to God, but it was his glory that would fill the temple. Whereas the people felt responsible for building this glorious temple, the Lord had a far better plan. Yes, they were to get to work and build the temple. However, God would provide the glory.

This was a not only promise to the people of Judah in Haggai’s day but also for us as well. Ultimately, God fulfilled this promise through his Son, Jesus Christ, who embodied the glory of God. Now, you are that temple as you are God’s dwelling place. Just as God would provide abundantly for his people in Judah, he will provide abundantly for you.

Reflection:

Are you living with divine perspective or human perspective today? How does the fact that God dwells within you empower you to choose divine perspective? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

Advent is like celebrating a national holiday in a foreign land — like observing the 4th of July as an expatriate. Locals do not understand the fuss. Advent is equal parts cherishing and missing home. AND it’s a mix of loving this world while getting ready to leave it behind. This makes Advent the most human and most complex celebration we have. Isaiah the prophet, David the psalmist, Paul the apostle, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus all lived in one world and longed for the next. They loved this world and loved the world to come even more. In these 28 devotions in Face the Dawn, join them in wearing the paradox of Christianity- this world may be our home, but that world is HOME.