With all the disobedient Israelites since the beginning of time, you would have thought GOD would wipe them out a long time ago…As I read through the Old Testament stories I find myself disgusted with GOD’s people (i.e. Israelites, Hebrews, Jews). Over and over again GOD showed Himself, His Glory and His Sovereignty…Still they went back to worshiping man made gods…
Even though they “thought” their lives were fulfilled, eventually they fell…Again…It’s always a temporary “feeling” of happiness and victory…HE allowed them to make decisions that are not in HIS will, because HE doesn’t force HIMSELF on HIS people, HE wants them to come to HIM humbled and in need!
In this 2 chapter book of Haggai, GOD told the prophet to send yet another message to HIS people. The message was to “rebuild GODS temple”…That’s it! Rebuild, worship ME, so that I may dwell with you…Hmmm, that seems easy…The response of HIS people, “Eh, it’s not time yet to rebuild the house of the LORD.” (Haggai 1:2) Really people? Are you kidding me? “The GOD Most High just gave you a direct command and you say it’s not time yet?” Dummies I say, dummies…
But, this sounds veryyyy familiar to me….
Here is the LORDS response to their ridiculous response: (Haggai 1:3-11-NLT Version)
Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? 5 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! 6 You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! 7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! 8 Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. 9 You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. 10 It’s because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. 11 I have called for a drought on your fields and hills—a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.”
No wonder I'm a mess sometimes...Now I know why it sounds familiar? Because it’s me acting just like those dummies, with my unnecessary busyness...Why are things not going right for me? Why do I stress out to make everything work together? Why, why, why does it seem so hard sometimes?
Because I‘m not in the Fathers will, will, will…See, HIS will is perfect…HIS will is righteous, His will feels good, and HIS will is that I remain in HIM…OH, thank you precious LORD that you let me remain in YOU! If you think about it, when we are out of the Fathers will and things don't go our way or fails is our own fault. GOD made everything perfect and we messed it up…We messed it up then, we mess it up now…The point of us existing is to be used to glorify HIS name…Period…
When GOD reminded HIS people to build the temple HE also said, “I am with you.” Does GOD say that and leave us high and dry? No, HE wants us to be obedient to HIS will, so that HE can freely give us all that HE knows we need, for whatever HE calls us to do…So how will I know what the LORDS will is for my daily life? Be in a relationship with HIM as a father is to his child and HE will let you know…
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you… John 15:7
I here ya!
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