Haggai 1:2-8 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’” Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. ”This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.
Jeremiah’s prophecy of a return from exile for the Jews of Judah had come true. The foundation of a new temple had been laid. But opposition from strong adversaries had stopped the rebuilding, and God’s people focused on building homes and lives for themselves. Even after permission was given to restart the Second Temple, the people failed to answer the call to rebuild the Lord’s house.
The prophet Haggai came to remind them of their calling and explain why they were never satisfied in any avenue of their lives, including their work. He revealed that until the work of God was first and foremost in their lives, they would not experience joy or satisfaction in any area of life.
Distractions often lead us away from the callings of our lives. We become so busy with the everyday issues of life, particularly when struggles are present that we forget to continue the work of the Lord. But Haggai reminds us that the anxiety we feel at how nothing in our lives goes right may derive from putting our needs before the work of the Lord.
Haggai spoke harsh words, but the Jews listened because they did wonder why they never seemed to get ahead or feel satisfied with their lives. So, they answered the call on their lives as the work finally began again (verse 14).
Today is a great time to reflect on what prevents us from fulfilling the callings of our lives. What keeps you and me from doing what God calls us to do?
Matthew 6:33-34 states, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I don’t promise that everything in our lives will miraculously change for the better, but I believe the anxieties of life will recede. Joy will come when we are about our Father’s business rather than selfishly focused on our agendas.
Amen.
Help from Heaven 
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