CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 879

“Consider Your Ways”

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. (Haggai 1:2-7)

Do you have a typical year-end ritual of preparation and planning for the New Year? Many of us begin to evaluate our finances and tax liabilities. We calculate the effects on our tax burden were we to catch up on our tithes, charitable offerings and deposits into IRA’s and we make an appropriate economic decision. Summary reports from banks remind us of our annual spending habits and we resolve to be less frivolous in the coming year. Our 401k and investment reports bring worry and angst as we question our ability to retire comfortably in the future. Then there are the New Year’s resolutions, the plans that we want to achieve, the things that we want to buy and the places we want to go.

The Word of God would challenge you in the midst of all your preparations and planning with the question: Has the time come for you to rebuild the house of the Lord? Reflect on the Word of the Lord that came to Haggai:

Consider your ways: Are you too focused on the physical comforts of the flesh and satisfying the appetites of the flesh (paneled houses) while your spiritual condition – your relationship and walk with God – is in ruins?

Consider your ways: Do you have any fruit to show from all your toil (sown much and harvested little)? Do you never have enough – never have your fill, spending more than you earn (bag with holes)? What have you sown for the Kingdom of God?

The house of the Lord begins in our heart, soul and spirit. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and need to be treated as such. Our year end reflection and look-ahead resolutions should indicate that our heart’s priority is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33)

The house of the Lord is also our homes, family environments and local church fellowships. Inasmuch as it depends upon us have we kept our homes free from strife? Have we allowed the temptation to sin into our homes through compromise with the world? Do prayer, love, and the presence of the Lord bind our homes, families, and church fellowships together? Is it your way to stand with Joshua and say: “…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)?

Has the time come for you to rebuild the house of the Lord? May the Holy Spirit speak clearly to your heart as you prayerfully consider your ways.

Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. (Proverbs 4:26)