Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Haggai 1-2; Luke 14
Devotional Thought:
Title: “Consider Your Ways.”
“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.” (vs. 2) Billy Sunday called an excuse “the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie,” and Benjamin Franklin wrote, “I never knew a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else.” Do you find yourself making excuses for not doing what you know the Bible clearly commands? Do you justify your actions or reactions rather than submitting to the commands of scripture and the leadership of the Holy Spirit? The Jews were making the excuse that they had not rebuilt the temple because it just wasn’t the right time. Through the mouth of Haggai, the Lord rebuked them saying that they had made time to build themselves houses, and nice ones at that; however, His house was lying in waste. God says to them, “Consider your ways.” The pension of our flesh is always to make our life more comfortable, convenient, and compatible. But we have been called by God to show forth God’s grace, greatness, and glory. We must foremost live our lives to accomplish God’s will before we do our own will. The only lasting fulfillment comes from the life lived in light of eternity, while the things done for the here and now are only temporaryand bring little or no fulfillment. We work hard, but have little lasting reward. We drink but simply get thirsty again. We buy clothes that constantly need to be replaced and are ultimately not sufficient for the needs. We make money, but constantly find that we need more, and have no accounting for where that which we had has gone. (vs. 6) God finally makes His will clear, “stop going to your own houses and living for yourself and build my house.” He gives the promise of His blessing for those who obey His voice. What a blessing to see people respond properly to the preaching of God’s word. I am constantly amazed at the power of God to change and mold people who are willing to be molded into the image of Christ. We find that the Jews “obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord.” (vs. 12) What an incredible truth that as we obey the Lord reminds us “I am with you, saith the Lord.” (vs. 13) What has God been asking you to do that you have been making excuses rather than tapping into the power and blessing of God through obedience? May we all decide to obey God and do the work that He has commanded us to do.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to simply trust and obey. I know you know better than me and you want what is best for me. Please help me to always be moldable and pliable so your will can be accomplished in my life.
• Lord, thank you for your patience with me. Thank you for constantly correcting, confronting, and caring for me. Help me to never make excuses for doing my own will.