Haggai 1:9

New International Version (NIV)

“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.

For meditation

Haggai is a book that focuses on priorities. It discusses how God addressed the returnees from Babylonian exile regarding their priorities. Specifically, it emphasizes the importance of rebuilding the temple over their personal commitments (Haggai 1:1-11).

The people made excuses for building and furnishing their houses instead of reconstructing the temple. They claimed it wasn’t the right time to rebuild the Lord’s house, but they still had to worship.

When we allow our desires to blind our perspectives, we deceive ourselves into thinking we can make profitable decisions apart from the will of God. This tendency is dangerous, as the Israelites learned in this instance (6, 9). The harm settles in before we realize the terrible results of our misplaced priorities. It is a lesson on serious discipleship, the reason God warned Israel to give careful thought to their ways (5, 7).

Today, things are the same. We focus on everything except God and prioritize our comfort over spiritual growth, a practice that is deceptive and harmful.

As a child of God, where does your interest lie? Have you prioritized your worldly concerns above spiritual growth—the cultivation of your heart, the seat of God in the believer? What is your mentality concerning spiritual things? (Matthew 6:33).

It is easy to use tough times as an excuse to get busy with everything but spiritual issues. However, as Chuck Swindoll comments, “Busyness feeds the ego but starves the inner person. It fills a calendar but fractures a family. It cultivates a program but plows under priorities.” That is a serious indictment.

The believer, therefore, should be cautious of unguarded zeal because its disadvantages outweigh its benefits. To avoid this, we must evaluate our priorities and align our commitments with God’s purposes. Doing so allows us to have a focused mindset (Col. 3:1-3) and to grow spiritually, as Jesus did. (Lk. 2:52).

This year, may we prioritize and feed the inner man, not allowing the burdens of this world to overshadow our spiritual needs and responsibilities. Let’s cast our anxieties on Christ (1 Peter 5:7), seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:31), and experience His glory in amazing ways.

Pay with Me

I desire spiritual vitality more than the riches of this world, but I sometimes find myself overwhelmed by all the demands of life and yielded to them. Father, strengthen me by the power of your Spirit in my weak moments, that I may stand and not fall. Thank you, in the matchless name of Jesus, my redeemer. Amen.