WEDNESDAY June 1, 2022
The Necessity for Godly Priorities
In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, “Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.” ’ ”
Haggai 1:1-2
Remember, God raised up a prophet name Haggai. The name Haggai means in Hebrew, “Feast of Jehovah.” All of sudden, God came and told Haggai to go tell His people an important message. The prophet was to exhort the people about their lack of priorities; they needed to put God first in their lives.
God’s people had come back to the land, to Jerusalem, but they were caught up with themselves. They were sowing and reaping––doing really well financially. The prophet was to remind the remnant of Jews who had returned to the land of their responsibilities. They must render in their priorities the completion of the Temple, before they could count on any blessing from God in their labor for themselves. This is what the book of Haggai is all about––priorities––putting God first. The people needed to remember, always God first.
As I began to study the times when Haggai lived (including the books of Nehemiah and Ezra), I noticed the comparisons in the lives of so many Christians today. God has become secondary or even last on their priority list––instead of first. This book has so much to teach us individually, especially about our personal priorities and the need for spiritual renewal. Our priority is to have a personal relationship with the Lord. Consider for a moment, where are your priorities, and how is your relationship with Christ?
My order of priorities reflects the level of my commitment to Christ. Whoever or whatever is in first place, if it isn’t the Lord Jesus, is in the wrong place.
~Charles Swindoll~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
