Can’t get ahead? Regardless of how hard you work, what you do, or what advisors you consult, or how many stars they have after their evaluations, you try hard but seem to be getting nowhere! What’s wrong anyway?
Interesting… I read an account like that this morning in the little book of Haggai. Here it is…
“Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: 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… You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away!” (Haggai, 1:5-6, 9 ESV)
And the assessment of the problem? God speaks through His prophet, “Consider your ways (stated twice!)… Is it time for you to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house [the temple] lies in ruins… Thus says the Lord of hosts… 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… My house lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.” (Haggai 1:4-5, 7-8, 9b)
Misplaced priorities! Self before the Lord! Pre-occupation with MY house, MY security, MYprovisions, MY prosperity, MY pursuits – and neglect of the Lord’s concerns!
Jesus gave the solution for this problem in “the Sermon on the Mount”…
He said,“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (From Matthew 6:25–33 ESV)
I’m so glad that God’s people listened to the prophet and heeded God’s word (read Haggai 1:12-15)! God blessed them and prospered them powerfully and miraculously when they obeyed! Oh Lord, as a follower of You, may I always keep my focus and priorities straight… “SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU!”
Coffee With The Lord 