Transformed By Truth: A Call To Prioritise God's Work Haggai 1:5-7 Series

Transformed by Truth: A Call to Prioritise God's Work Haggai 1:5-7

Introduction:

Today, we are diving into the powerful message of Haggai 1:5-7. The prophet Haggai brings a wake-up call from God to His people, urging them to reconsider their ways and prioritise God’s work. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives and priorities, to ensure we are aligned with God’s will.

Haggai 1:5-7 (NLT): "This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!"

Point 1: Consider Your Ways

Haggai 1:5 (NLT) - "This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!"

The people of Israel had returned from exile and were focused on rebuilding their own homes while neglecting the temple of God. Through Haggai, God calls them to "consider their ways" — to reflect on their actions and the state of their lives.

The Hebrew word for "consider" is "sîm," which means to set, put, or place. God is asking His people to set their minds on their current situation and recognise the consequences of their misplaced priorities. This is a call for introspection and realignment with God’s purposes.

Lamentations 3:40 (NLT) - "Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord."

Imagine a farmer who works hard but neglects to water his crops. Despite his efforts, the harvest is poor. Similarly, without prioritising God, our efforts may feel futile and unfulfilling.

Rick Warren, a renowned Christian pastor and author, expressed a profound truth when he said, "You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense."

Let's unpack this quote a little further:

"You were made by God and for God..."

Genesis 1:27 (NLT) states, "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." This reflects the intrinsic value and purpose embedded in our creation. We are not accidents of nature but intentional beings with a divine purpose.

Colossians 1:16 (NLT) reinforces this by stating, "For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see... Everything was created through him and for him." This verse echoes Warren's sentiment, underscoring that our existence is tied to God's will and purpose.

"...and until you understand that, life will never make sense."

Without recognizing our divine origin and purpose, life can often feel chaotic and directionless. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT) mentions, "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end."

We have an innate longing for eternal significance that exists within us.

When we acknowledge that our lives are part of God's larger plan, we gain a sense of direction and purpose. Romans 8:28 (NLT) provides assurance by stating, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." This reaffirms that understanding our divine purpose helps make sense of the complexities and challenges of life.

To internalize this truth, it is essential to seek a relationship with God and align our lives with His will.

This short quote from Rick Warren succinctly captures a vital Christian truth: understanding our divine origin and purpose is key to finding meaning in life. By recognizing that we are created by and for God, we can navigate life with a clear sense of direction and fulfillment.

This understanding transforms our perspective, aligning us with God's greater plan and bringing profound clarity to our existence.

Point 2: Acknowledge the Futility of Self-Reliance

Haggai 1:6 (NLT) - "You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!"

The Israelites were experiencing frustration and lack despite their hard work. This was a direct result of their self-reliance and neglect of God's house. Their efforts without God’s blessing led to dissatisfaction and unfulfilled needs.

The futility described here is a consequence of ignoring God's priorities. The word "holes" (in Hebrew, "naqab") implies a sense of emptiness and loss. This passage reminds us that true fulfilment comes from aligning our efforts with God’s will.