READING: Haggai 1-2, Revelation 17
“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?”
Haggai 1:4
The people of God in Haggai’s day—at least some of them—were building great houses for themselves, but neglecting the house of God. They had chosen not to rebuild the temple, but they weren’t nearly as negligent of their own homes. Even while they built for themselves, though, they were apparently struggling in many other areas of life: “You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes” (Hag. 1:6). They were toiling, but with little production. Perhaps these struggles were even one of the reasons they had decided not to invest in the temple.
What they didn’t seem to understand was the connection between their complacency over the things of God and their lack of God’s blessings. They were seeking their own kingdom first—not God’s—and He chose not to bless them. He withheld the morning dew, and the earth “withheld its produce” (Hag. 1:10) as a result.
For Haggai, the answer was simple: the people must repent of their complacency and begin rebuilding the temple. When they did so, God made it clear that He was still with them (Hag. 1:13). As we’ve seen throughout these devotions this year, God remained faithful to a people who weren’t always faithful to Him.
Sometimes, re-strengthening our walk with God is as simple as this step: get over our complacency, turn our eyes from ourselves to God, and do what He tells us to do. He’ll be with us along the way.
ACTION STEPS:
- As we move toward the end of this year, determine areas where you need to strengthen your walk with God.
- Do today whatever you know God is calling you to do.
PRAYER: “Lord, I’m guilty of complacency and self-centeredness. Please forgive me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Zechariah 1-4, Revelation 18