There are many different "through the Bible in one year" reading plans. While we were in Mt. Pleasant, SC I was browsing through a Barnes and Nobles and saw this Daily Walk Bible. I highly recommend this as a wonderful tool for your daily devotions. This morning my devotion was in Haggai.
The final three books in the Old Testament are written by post-exilic prophets. The Jews have returned to their land after the destruction and captivity of Babylon. Their number one priority is to rebuild the temple. But the Lord sends the prophet Haggai to admonish and exhort the people to keep the main thing the main thing.
We get a look at what is going on in the lives of these people:
1. They have planted much but they have harvested little
2. They have food to eat but not enough
3. They have wine to drink but not enough to satisfy their thirst
4. They have clothes to wear but not enough to keep warm
Why are these results happening to the people of God?
Answer - because they have placed their own desires, wants and lifestyle above
their desire for the Lord. Isn't that the very definition of sin? When we trade the glory of God for other things that we enjoy and treasure more than Him.
What are some things in your life that tend to get more attention than God Himself?
- family
- being liked by others
- job
- lifestyle
- TV
- recreation
- exercise
God send Haggai to His people to tell them to go up into the hills, bring the timber down and rebuild My temple. Then He says "I the Lord will be honored and take pleasure in it."
The most loving thing that God can do for His people is to give them that which is best for them and that is God Himself. Don't we see this all through the Scriptures where God is constantly reminding us "Praise Me, Worship Me, exalt Me." God doesn't need me but He sure knows how much I need Him!
Lesson learned this morning: God is constantly reminding me to focus on Him (keep the main thing the main thing) in my worship, study, thought process and daily activities. In the words of John the Baptist "He must increase and I must decrease."
