Priorities

“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” Then the LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?” Haggai 1:2-4

HEADING BACK TO JERUSALEM after seventy long years of exile in Babylon, the people of God were full of anticipation to live in a restored Jerusalem, worship at a rebuilt Temple, and recapture Israel’s former glory as a nation. But when they arrived in Jerusalem, now a pile of charred rubble, they quickly became discouraged, and after a short time suspended their efforts to rebuild the Temple. For sixteen years, they made no progress on rebuilding the house of God.

It was into this setting that God sent his prophet Haggai, who challenged the people to resume their efforts to rebuild God’s house. “It just isn’t the right time,” they protested, suggesting that the Lord’s providence somehow prevented them from the work. But in reality they were too preoccupied with improving their own standard of living to invest themselves in the work of building God’s house. So Haggai called them to examine their priorities.

Certainly it is no stretch to see ourselves in these spiritual ancestors. The demands of modern life with its traffic snarls, late nights of work, sports schedules, and homework provide us with plenty of excuses to say that “it just isn’t the right time” to allow ourselves to be used by God to build his Kingdom in the world. So Haggai also speaks to us, calling on us to examine our priorities and give ourselves to gospel work in the world.

Lord, forgive us for pouring so much of our energy into building our own house and taking care of our own property while giving little to your work in the world. As a family, we want to be used by you. Show us where we are too consumed building our own kingdom to be given over to building yours.