NEGLECTING vs. OBEDIENCE

Haggai 1:5 “Now this is what the Lord Almighty says. Give careful thought to your ways.”

“Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool... Isiah 66:1 and Acts 7:49.” Who is God that we can hide from Him? Do you think He cannot see us? Only a fool doesn’t understand and accept this message. Are you? Hope not! In the same manner, the Lord sees everything for His eyes range throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are committed to Him. God is an all-knowing and powerful God and He is not limited by anything. He can do everything He wants without our consent.
As in the time of the prophet Haggai, the Lord spoke unto him and blatantly rebuked His people who were so busy with their lives that they have forgotten and ignored what was important. These people have thought highly of their own; their families, houses, personal acquaintances and all the things that make them happy rather than seeking God. For some time the house and the work of the Lord have been neglected. I bet, the same is most happening in our time nowadays. People tend to do what their flesh desires and not truly dedicating their lives to God but following their own self-wills. But only time will tell and God will expose all our ignorance. Old and young alike, we can run but we cannot hide from the blistering eyes of the living God.

Finally, the Lord came to deal with their carelessness and lack of concern to the house of God. So He gave them this stern warning to “give careful thought or attention of their ways” lest all that they have and is left be taken away. God pointed out to them the reasons for their scarcity that though they work hard for a living yet they still lack many things. They ate but never satisfied. They planted much but harvested so little. They drank but never have their fill. They earn wages but only to put them in a pocket with holes in it. All that they brought home, God has blown it away. WHY??? God has the answer; “Because of my house which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you, the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the work of your hands, Haggai 1:9-11.” God has all the authority and right reasons why He did these to them and He can also do it to us if we keep on neglecting our duties and responsibilities to Him. When the people heard the message of God through the prophet Haggai, they were cast in fear and the Spirit of God stirred their hearts and they came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty.

Immediately, upon realizing their sins they responded with fear and obedience to God. Altogether, the leaders and all the people started working hand in hand to build the house of God until it was finished. God enabled them, strengthened them and gave them the courage to defy the many oppositions in building the temple. Our world today is no different from them. There are so many oppositions to our service to God. The world offers so many things that keep people away from serving Him. There are also many people including Christian believers who find many unacceptable reasons just to exclude themselves from doing the work of God. But God’s warning is very clear! Neglecting Him and His work and your service is a SIN. Likely, do not blame others for your mistakes and your shortcomings. God holds every person accountable for what he or she is doing. We are all called to serve and not to serve as a judge. Do not wait until the Lord rebuked you because you never knew if it is by way of His judgment or by His grace. Are we in any way focused on ourselves? Are we considering that the most and important thing is to please God? While our families and activities are important and need not be neglected, our top priorities should align with what the Lord sees as the most essential. Every Christian believer should know that and must be willing to act on it accordingly. Those who have faith must trust the wisdom of God for He knows what is best for those who believe in Him. Read, Matthew 6:33.