This post is Day 7 in a series of studies about “Haggai”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Haggai – Day 7

Deep in our hearts, most of us know we should put God first in everything, but how many of us really do that? Many of us spend a time in prayer, then rush into our daily activities without giving Him a second thought! He would appreciate more attention than that!

Haggai 1:9

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the Lord Almighty. Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.

The Thought

Deep in our hearts, most of us know that we should put God first in everything, but how many of us really do that? Many of us spend a pre-breakfast time in prayer, then rush into our daily activities without giving Him a second thought until the church meeting in the evening, or a prayer at the dinner table! He would appreciate a bit more of our attention than that!

As I read through this first chapter of Haggai, I think about a family who have moved house. The growing children each spend time in their own rooms placing things where they want them, putting posters on the walls, and generally making their own space. Eventually the parents will say: “OK, Now it is time to help with the bigger picture, there are things to be done in the rest of the property. You must do your share of this work too.”

In this chapter of Haggai, God is reprimanding His people who have been thinking only of their own space and not understanding the bigger picture. They were taking Him for granted. Once settled back in their promised land, having built their own homes and established a routine, they didn’t talk to or listen to Him quite as much as before.

Of course they continued the regular services, and knew that the Temple needed repair, but they were busy!

As we saw in day 4, God intervened by touching them where it hurt, in their personal finances!

Action

Pray today that you will hear God’s voice as you spend time with Him.

Ask Him if He wants you to give anything to one of His houses; that might be a church you attend, or it might be a much bigger project elsewhere.

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