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We all get in ruts. I heard a man say that a rut is just a grave with the ends knocked out … a grave that goes on and on and on.

We can get in a rut in our personal life, our relationships, our home, our work, our church ministry. There can be good routines and habits, of course, but most often the word is used of that which has lost all meaning and is producing nothing. A rut is called a rut because we seem to stay there and have trouble getting out.

OTHERS HAVE BEEN THERE

It was true in the prophet Haggai’s day. The people had come back from Babylonian captivity with great excitement to rebuild the temple—the great symbol of their return to the Lord and God’s blessing returning to the nation.

But they met some opposition from the Samaritans and just quit … for 16 years. Most thought it was over for Israel. The once great story had its final chapter. They were just doomed to live a sub-par, blessing-less existence. Just survive.

ALONG COMES ONE MAN OF GOD

A little-known prophet named Haggai shows up and speaks the word of God to the leaders and the people. It encourages them to get back to work. And then we read this travelogue …

“Be strong, all you people of the land—this is the Lord’s declaration. Work! For I am with you—the declaration of the Lord of Armies. This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid!” (Haggai 2:4-5)

The Word of God brings faith and dissipates fear. It was just what the people needed: a true word from the Lord. But God went further. He revealed, through the prophet, the great shake-up that was coming.

For the Lord of Armies says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord of Armies. “The silver and gold belong to me”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. “The final glory of this house will be greater than the first,” says the Lord of Armies. “I will provide peace in this place”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. (Hag 2:6–9)

The Lord “roused the spirit” of the leaders and all the people and they began to work. They walked right out of the rut, by the grace of God, and got to work and restored the temple.

ARE YOU READY FOR A RUT-LESS LIFE?

Have things gotten mundane, same-y, routine, monotonous? Have you lost your peace and joy? Your purpose and desire? Do you dread getting up in the mornings? Are you trying to fill your life with things to bring some joy, but it’s just not working? (See how this was happening to the Israelites in Haggai 1:6)

Listen to the word of the Lord. Get your head and heart back into His word and hear His promises to you and let it rouse your spirit. Return to the Lord. Do whatever is necessary to draw near and commune with Him, to repent and be filled again (controlled) by His Spirit. And then … rise up and get back to the vital task. The work God has made you for and called you to!

Watch God shake things up again and fill His house (your life!) with glory and “provide peace in this place.”

Copyright © 2025 by Bill Elliff @ billelliff.org. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org