In a speech to the Duke men’s basketball team, former Duke player Jay Bilas says if he were to ask everyone on the team what their priorities were, everyone would know what to say, but he would truly know what everyone’s priorities are by the decisions they make.
We are what we repeatedly do, not what we say.
When the Israelites escaped Babylonian exile, they had to figure out what their priorities were going to be: Focus on themselves first or focus on God.
When they returned from Babylonian exile, the Israelites were supposed to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, but instead, they focused on themselves and rebuilding their own homes and lives. The prophet Haggai challenged them to reevaluate their priorities and to refocus on God’s instruction and plan for them.
Haggai 1:5-10 says:
Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 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. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. 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. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce.
When we put ourselves and what we think we need in front of God, we might find success, but we won’t find true love, joy, and peace. Don’t be more concerned with your personal comfort than with God’s worship.
Haggai promised that if the people would prioritize the temple, God would bless them with abundance. He said, "If you will bring the full tithe into the storehouse, then I will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing for you so great that there will not be room enough to receive it (Haggai 2:19).”
Discipline is doing today what your future self will thank you for. Be disciplined in seeking God first in everything you do, and everything you do will be made greater.
SOMETHING(s) TO THINK ABOUT:
1 - What is your biggest takeaway from this message?
2 - Are there areas in your life where you've prioritized personal comfort or gain over your relationship with God?
3 - How can you recommit to making God's house and His work a priority in your life?
4 - What steps can you take to contribute to the spiritual growth of your community or church?
My Prayer:
Dear, God. Please forgive me for times when I've neglected Your house and Your work. Help me to prioritize Your kingdom above all else. I pray that I am a faithful steward of the blessings You have given me. In Jesus's name, Amen.
For a printable PDF version of this devo, click here: Haggai: Put God First
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