Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, with openhearted awe:

“And the people feared the LORD.”
(Haggai 1:12)

A lot of religious leaders
spend a lot of time these days
trying to talk people out of this one, Jesus.

Sometimes I get the sense…

that they’re almost embarrassed to admit
there are verses like this one in the Bible.

But why?

Do we really need a Teddy Bear for a god?

Do we really need one more authority figure to pat us on the head
and tell us what wonderful people we are –

that we only have to be whatever we already are
keep doing whatever it is we’re already doing
and everything will be just fine?

Oh, come on.
We’re sinners!

I’m a sinner.

Sure, I need encouragement – who doesn’t?

But the truth is, I’m battling disobedience in my life.
It’s stubborn and it’s ugly.

And a wimpy, powerless, grin ‘n shuffle god

just isn’t gonna cut it.

_________
2 Chronicles 17:10; Job 28:28; Psalms 19:9; Psalms 34:11-16; Psalms 111:10; Psalms 112:1-2; Proverbs 1:7; Isaiah 11:2-4; Acts 9:31; 1 Peter 2:17; Revelation 14:7

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.