This Is a Laver Season

A Call to Rebuild, Return, and Realign (Haggai 1)

By Pastor Joel Dorman

There are moments in Scripture where God interrupts His people with a word so sharp, so timely, that it cuts through comfort and calls them back to purpose. Haggai 1 is one of those moments — and it mirrors the season we are living in right now.

God is calling His church, His people, at such a time as this.   There is much to do. There is much to build. And heaven is sounding the alarm: This is a Laver Season.

When Comfort Becomes a Covering

In Haggai’s day, Israel had returned from exile, but instead of rebuilding the Lord’s house, they rebuilt their own. They said, “This is not the right time.” But God challenged them:

“Is it time for you to live in your panelled houses while My house lies in ruins?”

We are creatures of comfort. We say, “Not right now, Lord — I need to fix my house first.” But God asks us a piercing question:

What is covering you — your comforts or Christ?

While His house is in ruin, we prioritise our own.

The Consequence of Misplaced Priorities

God tells Israel:

“You plant much but harvest little.” “You earn wages, but it’s like putting them in a bag with holes.”

Inflation had skyrocketed in their day — just like ours. Their efforts were swallowed by lack because their priorities were misaligned.

This is not the life God has called us to.

The Call to Action

God’s instruction is clear:

• Lay aside distractions and excuses

• Be intentional — the path is yours to choose

• Do it His way, not man’s design

• Let Him build His kingdom, not yours

The appointed time has come for action.

A Laver Season: Revealing, Refining, Realigning

The laver in the tabernacle was a place of washing — made from mirrors. When the priests looked into it, they saw their reflection and the heavens above.

This is what God is doing now.

He is revealing hidden things. He is exposing mixture. He is confronting hypocrisy. He is realigning hearts.

It’s painful — but He promises to heal and restore. His judgments are always good.

To change communities, He must first change the home. To change the home, He must first change the heart.

Guard the Heart — It Reveals Everything

“I need Jesus Christ — my life depends on Him.”

Luke 6:45 reminds us that the mouth reveals the heart. Good fruit comes from a good heart. Rotten fruit reveals a rotten vine.

• Stop bad‑mouthing yourself — it contradicts how God feels about you

• Stop saying “I can’t” while saying “My God is able”

• Stop the mixture

Psalm 51:10 — “Create in me a clean heart…” Ezekiel 36:26 — “I will give you a new heart…”

The Refining Fire

God says, “I will give you what you need to obey,” but we often respond, “No, I can’t do that.”

He is burning up hypocrisy. He is removing excuses. He is calling us to maturity.

His ways are not our ways.

Don’t run from the refining — it brings healing.

The laver reveals who you are, who He is, and who you are in Him. It gives a new position, a new viewpoint, and aligns you with His way.

The Stirring of the Lord

Haggai 1:14 says:

“The Lord stirred up the spirit of the people.”

They turned. They repented. They began to build.

The Hebrew word melakah means:

• to deputise yourself

• to take authority

• to step into your calling

• to work with divine purpose

No one can do what you are called to do. He gives commitment, tenacity, stamina, resilience. He has not called you to quit. He wants you to succeed — and He will move Heaven and Earth to help you.

The Altar: Where We Lay It All Down

Make the decision to come to the altar. Lay down your plans, opinions, and selfish needs. You are free — not a slave.

Lay down the pride that says, “It’s all on me.” He will empower you to put your shoulder to the plow without looking back.

You are His ambassador, His priest, called to:

• take back ground

• see through chaos

• speak into the void

• stand against darkness

• prepare the way in truth

A New Day of No Compromise

We want the blessing but rarely the cost. But faith produces action — and the lives of our community depend on our decisions.

He is calling His watchmen up the mountain to proclaim truth. This is revival — rejecting man’s ways and embracing God’s.

The seed (the Word) is still in the storehouse. And God declares:

“From now on, because you did it My way, I will bless your harvest.”

Don’t despise small beginnings — there is much more to come.

The Yes That Changes Everything

As we say yes, He places a signet ring on our hand — a symbol of authority, royalty, restored lineage.

And we come to His altar and declare:

“I wanna walk like You, Talk like You, Keep my eyes on You, Take up my cross like You, Lay down my life like You. No turning back.”

There is no hiding from Him. He doesn’t turn away. He went all the way for us — let us go all the way for Him.

"I am committed to Your plans, Your ways, Your design for my life. Lives depend on it. I depend on it. Running is not an option. You find me — and You heal me."