Consider Your Ways

The Prophet Haggai

Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. _{Haggai 1:8}

The Israelite people had been in exile for 70 years, and during that time the house of God had been burned and the walls of Jerusalem had been broken down. Then, in 539 BC, Persia conquered Babylon, led by Cyrus the Great and something miraculous happened. The Lord stirred up the heart of Cyrus, so much so, that he made this declaration:

The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him. Let him go up. _{2 Chronicles 36:23}

How incredible. The kings of Israel and Judah should have been the ones obeying God’s commands. In fact, if they had, the people would never have been carried off as slaves! Now we see a heathen king recognizing the voice of the LORD and bowing to his will! God’s will is never hindered but whether you want to be part of it or not, is up to you.

These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Consider your ways. _{Haggai 1:4-5}

The Lord revealed his will through Cyrus that the time had come to rebuild his house but the people weren’t so sure. Sixteen years after release from Babylon, the house of God was still not built. They had been allowed to return home with a clear directive, yet they hesitated. How often does this still happen? God shows us his will and we proceed with our own. He directs us toward something but we choose a more convenient path. The Lord calls and we answer, ‘Lord, here I am but I’m not quite ready for this plan.’ Fear can damage our walk with God and it can rob us of the wonders that He has in store for us.

Do not put God’s will on hold. When God speaks – listen. When he directs – trust. Miraculous things happen when we submit to His Will.

Stop and think for a moment, consider your ways and ask yourself, “Am I doing what He has asked of me and am I going where He has directed?”