This post is for the members of Bowling Green Christian Church who are journeying me this week through Haggai and 1 Thessalonians. I am including my thoughts here not as a proof or model but a primer – something to get you going in study. If you are looking for the introduction to this journey and need the Bible study instructions please click here.
Prayer – Lord as I come to this text I pray that I would be empty of myself. Forgive my sins, heal my thoughts and fill my with your Holy Spirit as I read you word.
Reading - Haggai 1
Meditate/Memorize – After a time of contiued prayer and careful reading the verse that continued to remain with me was Haggai 1:9:
“You have looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses.”
Obviously not every problem is caused by God, but I wonder how many problems I could avoid if my priorities were straight. Jesus said this nicer, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.” Yet, I appreciate the honesty of the Old Testament and the prophets. Is this still true? Absolutely, God you desire to be first in my life and you have a whole host of ways to help me reprioritize.
Live It Out -
“Lord please show me the ways that I have scrambled for myself while neglecting you. Please show me the failures that I face because I am failing to honor you. Lord what are you “blowing away” from me because I have not put you first?
“Lord I invite you into my thoughts today. Help me to know the ways that I plan in vain and plan beyond you. May my thoughts, plans and dreams for tomorrow include you as the first thought.”
What does Haggai tell us about how God blesses us when we are “living” the Christian life? Does this mean that we only have good things happen to us when we are “living” the Christian life? And what does this tell us about how Israel and God’s relationship was during the OT? Sorry, I have more questions than comments.
Jesus tells us that the rain falls and the sun shines on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45), so times of abundance come to all. I think Haggai’s challenge helps us to be in a place to receive blessings and keep them. Notice in Haggai 1:6 where the people gather but they place their wealth in pockets with holes. Abundance comes to all, but only those who have imperishable pockets can contain all the blessings God gives. Thanks for the questions.