Monday's Blessing
Haggai 1:5-6
"Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Many of us live life at a hectic pace. One of the dangers of modern society is that we spend so little time slowing down and evaluating whether we need to make some mid-course corrections. There seems to be little time to be introspective and give careful consideration to our patterns in life.
God sent the prophet Haggai with one simple message: "Give careful thought to your ways!" Back in antiquity prophets were available to offer good advice spoken from mouths directly correlated to God's words. Most stood up and listened! In fact mighty kings often called to prophets for answers and dream interpretations. They were respected and revered. Look at us today! We rarely stop and give careful thought to our life with God. Sadly, no one is here to shake up our day like the prophets once had the authority to do.
In Haggai's time the exiled children of Israel were heading home to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and Temple. They had lost their sense of priorities as they slaved each day to regain what they lost. First came their own homes and survival necessities. But they had forgotten the most important component - The Temple. Haggai called out to remind the Israelites the issue at hand was not their self felt incompetence, but their relationship with God. They must build the Temple and get right with God first, then everything else will be filled through the Lord.
The Israelites did just that. They immediately resumed work on the Temple. God began to bless them again and again. He sent new messages through Haggai: "I am with you!"
It is important to periodically evaluate where you are with God. Are you making him the highest priority? Have you placed your interests and desires above his plans and purposes for your own self indulgences? If so, how is that working for you? Do you need to stop and make corrections?
Father help me to set my priorities straight.
Show me each day that your kingdom is my greatest priority.
Help me to take inventory often of my spiritual life.
Get me back on track. Amen.
Haggai 1:5-6
"Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Many of us live life at a hectic pace. One of the dangers of modern society is that we spend so little time slowing down and evaluating whether we need to make some mid-course corrections. There seems to be little time to be introspective and give careful consideration to our patterns in life.
God sent the prophet Haggai with one simple message: "Give careful thought to your ways!" Back in antiquity prophets were available to offer good advice spoken from mouths directly correlated to God's words. Most stood up and listened! In fact mighty kings often called to prophets for answers and dream interpretations. They were respected and revered. Look at us today! We rarely stop and give careful thought to our life with God. Sadly, no one is here to shake up our day like the prophets once had the authority to do.
In Haggai's time the exiled children of Israel were heading home to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and Temple. They had lost their sense of priorities as they slaved each day to regain what they lost. First came their own homes and survival necessities. But they had forgotten the most important component - The Temple. Haggai called out to remind the Israelites the issue at hand was not their self felt incompetence, but their relationship with God. They must build the Temple and get right with God first, then everything else will be filled through the Lord.
The Israelites did just that. They immediately resumed work on the Temple. God began to bless them again and again. He sent new messages through Haggai: "I am with you!"
It is important to periodically evaluate where you are with God. Are you making him the highest priority? Have you placed your interests and desires above his plans and purposes for your own self indulgences? If so, how is that working for you? Do you need to stop and make corrections?
Father help me to set my priorities straight.
Show me each day that your kingdom is my greatest priority.
Help me to take inventory often of my spiritual life.
Get me back on track. Amen.
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