https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-sxwwn-17395eb
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’ ” ~ Haggai 1:2
My earthly father had a tough time with me when it came to getting my chores done, my jobs done around the house. I had a special way of putting them off. I don’t know why I say special, as they were anything but special in that I was always getting reprimanded for not getting them done in a timely matter.
My father was a patient man, but I really pushed his buttons when it came to this issue. Now I wasn’t a lazy kid, in fact I was on the go from sunrise to sundown. I played sports all day! Everyday! …and I played hard!
The problem was that I put the thing of my father second. I put them second to my things, and in doing so, they often fell between the cracks of time; meaning they weren’t getting done on time.
In the prophet Haggai’s words, the Israelites were doing the same thing. They were working on their own homes and leaving the temple in ruins. They put their own worldly things first, and their Father’s second.
They weren’t saying that they wouldn’t build God’s house, just that it wouldn’t be today. As with myself, they weren’t lazy in general, just in doing the things of God.
What I found out as a kid, was that when I put my father’s work second I was always finding myself in trouble. and likewise, when you put God second, all the things you put first don’t go so well.
What the Israelites found out was that when they took God’s message to heart, God had one more message for them, “I am with you.” This affirmed God’s covenant with them, his personal presence, and his support.
Lord, help us to develop a keen sense of perspective when we are called to do you work. Help us to battle spiritual procrastination, and to speak, work and act in a way that pleases you …in a way that’s reflects our gratefulness for your personal presence and support.
Pray on…
Song: My Alms (Album: Chapel Songs)
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