October 4, 2024

Dear Church Family,

There never seems to be enough of anything when our priorities are out of whack. I was reminded of this when I read the first chapter of Haggai. I’ve been going through the minor prophets in my quiet times and found this book to be very convicting. When Cyrus allowed a group of Jews to go back to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, at first they started rebuilding well. But soon, through pressure and spiritual apathy, they abandoned the project and focused on their own. Look at what God has to say:

Haggai 1:4-6 (ESV)
“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.”

With the peoples’ priorities focused on their own lives and homes, they never had enough. Twice, God calls on the people to consider their ways. It made me think about where my priorities are. Am I focused on building my kingdom or building His kingdom. What’s the focus of my time, energy, and resources? God explains it this way:

Haggai 1:9-10 (ESV)
You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce.

Where are your priorities today? Have you considered your ways?

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

–Pastor Dave