July 1, 2022

Passage Read: Haggai 1 - Zechariah 2
Meditation Verses: Haggai 2:3-4

Thought

We are pretty self-absorbed. We put ourselves first, thinking that if we don't first make provision for ourselves, we won't be able to serve the Lord. But the Lord says otherwise. He afflicts our income and produce because we spend all our effort on ourselves, building nice houses to live in, making our comfort the number one priority. But God warns those who put themselves ahead of the Lord that they will not prosper. In fact, they will work hard and bring home little. But if they put the Lord first, He will bless their efforts. And what does He ask for? A grand house, more beautiful than our own? He deserves that. But He is satisfied with even a small effort to put Him first. He will take what little we give and make it more grand and glorious. He doesn't require perfection at once, but only a change of direction and effort. He was willing to bless the people, even though they laid a foundation for a smaller temple than Solomon built. He knew their situation, that they weren't rich like Solomon or at peace like Solomon. He knew their hardship, and He adjusted His expectations accordingly. What He wanted was a change of heart, to put Him first, to make the effort to build Him a house. He didn't expect a grand house; He would make it grand in His time.

Application

How often do I think the Lord expects perfection from me, and I give up, knowing I cannot attain perfection? But He doesn't expect perfection from me; He knows that all I touch I defile. All He expects is a change of heart and simple steps in the right direction. If I just start making small choices in His direction, He will be pleased, and He will bring it to become big steps in the right direction. He will perfect what my small efforts begin. I just need to take the first steps to turn myself around.