Passage Read: Haggai 1 - Zechariah 2
Meditation Verses: Haggai 1:2-4
Thought
It is such a temptation to put off serving the Lord or seeking Him or spending time with Him, especially when times are tough. The people already have nice homes to live in, but their labor doesn't provide the returns they expect. So they feel compelled to spend more time on their work, to try to make more money to live more comfortably. And because of that, they say now is not the time to give to the Lord, to build His house. Time is precious, so they need to spend it on themselves rather than the Lord. He is considered the luxury, "only if I have time left over." So He tells them that the reason their efforts fail is because He is against them. The solution isn't more work to provide for themselves. The solution is to give the time and effort God asks for. Then He would bless their other labors and they would have plenty, even though they give less time to supplying their own needs or wants.
Application
It is such a temptation to think that my material circumstances come first and depend too much on my own efforts. So if there isn't enough money coming in, I should work more and cut back on extra-curricular activities, like spending time with God or fellowshiping with other believers in order to be known and to know so as to be encouraged and challenged in my walk. Spending time with God and on things He values isn't a hindrance to taking care of myself and my family. On the contrary, as I make time for the things God values, He is pleased to bless my efforts in other areas, so that I have enough or even an abundance beyond what my labors could provide. My personal circumstances should never distract me from serving the Lord or spending time with Him and those who love Him.