Consider your ways

Bible Reading: Haggai 1-2

Haggai 1:3-7 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses,
and this house lie waste? 5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

The reason Cyrus allow many of the Jews to return to Israel was so they could rebuild the temple. They began to build but they ran into difficulty. The work stopped and soon the people were in danger of forgetting their purpose.

Any kind of building will bring difficulties. However, God says that he was allowing loss in their lives to get them to consider their ways. They were not bringing in the kind of harvest they expected. They were not satisfied. They were not warm. Their wages went into a bag with holes. God did this to get their attention.

As I read this, I cannot help but think of the church of Jesus Christ. Many times the church lies in waste and the Christians live in their 'cieled houses'. I do not mean the building. Many times the building is in good repair but there is no evangelism. There is no discipleship. Many times the church is merely a social club. The house of God lies waste because the Word of God is not preached.

I believe God is saying to us today, "Consider your ways." There are disciples to make. The Word of God must be preached. The gospel must be spread. Just as Haggai was used of God to stir the spirit of Joshua and Zerubbabel, he is stirring our spirits today to rise up and build the house of God.

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

There is work to do. We must rise up and build!

In Christ,
Rody