Text- Haggai 1:7 – “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways”
The book of Haggai, though very short with only 2 chapters and 38 verses, is not one of the books of the Bible that we read so often. In fact, history has it that Haggai prophesied for only about 3 months. However short, his ministry was highly impactful.
Our text today is the summary of the beginning of Haggai’s prophetic ministry. He began with calling and compelling the people of Israel to consider their ways; to examine their lives. It was a “Thus saith the Lord” thing, not Haggai’s personal opinion.
This also applies to us all in this day and age. God’s word to us is that we must have regular life-audits. That is, a thorough examination of our lifestyle, attitude, personality, motives, actions, dispositions, etc. must be an integral part of our lives. Time and time again, we must retreat to consider our ways.
Most especially, when things are not going the way we expect, or the way they should, the first point of call is to consider our ways. See what Haggai said to the Israelites:
“Think it over; You have spent a lot of money, but you haven’t much to show for it. You keep filling your plates, but you never get filled up. You keep drinking and drinking and drinking, but you’re always thirsty. You put on layer after layer of clothes, but you can’t get warm. And the people who work for you, what are they getting out of it? Not much— a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that’s what.” - Haggai 1:6 MSG
Truly, not all the challenges we face in life are of our own making. But when troubles comes, it’s wise to first look inwards, perhaps there is any fault – sin, disobedience, bad attitude, laziness, rebellion, selfishness, folly, neglect, etc.
We should not be quick-sighted to pry into other people's ways, while we are careless of our own. We should not be too quick to look outwards and begin to shift responsibilities or pass blames on to others; rather we should first consider our own ways. Like the people of Haggai’s day, we may find that our misdeeds/mistakes are at the root of our predicaments.
Beloved, as we go into the last month of this year, I want you to do a life-audit. I want you to take some moment to consider your ways; think deep and examine yourself– your lifestyle, attitude, personality, motives, actions, dispositions, etc.
Shake off all the weights and baggage's that may hinder you, draw you back, or slow you down in 2019 before you enter into the New Year. Let the process begin today… Consider your ways!
PRAYER Father, please help me to become better in my walk with you, and in all areas of my life as I begin to consider my ways in Jesus Name.
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