Make Your Life a Temple for the Lord
Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? ~ Haggai 1:4
The king of Persia not only allows the Jews to go back home, he gives them supplies, money, and resources to rebuild. Hence, around 535 BC, the Jews are in their land and immediately start rebuilding the temple.
But, it doesn’t take long for them to lose track of what’s important. They got too comfortable. Their lavish lifestyle was more enticing than working all day to rebuild God’s house. In other words, the earthly conveniences were more important than their spiritual duty.
Now, it is easy to be outsiders and call them victims of a fools bargain. But, keep in mind they have been slaves for decades and have been barely surviving. Plus, building a temple didn’t take a few weeks; it took decades.
So, when we have a comfy life and an arduous project that will take a while to complete, how disciplined are we to keep working at it? What’s a day or two of rest compared to a guaranteed 20 years of labor.
Let’s bring it a little closer to home, suppose that by God’s grace you come to acquire an expected large sum of money. The kind of money that will keep you comfortable for the rest of your life. After the shock of coming to so much money…
- How many ideas would you go through before to get to one that honors God’s grace in your life?
- How much of the money would you use for growing the Kingdom?
- How many of the things you do will be the things God wants you to do?
- How long would it take you to “retire” from all duties because you simply no longer have to work?
I don’t think we are being asked to avoid the pleasantries of live but I am suggesting Haggai’s words are a reminder to keep God and His things primary.
Today, I plan to play with the idea of going through my day, doing the same things I do, but place God first in all of it, just to see if the daily experience is different.
“Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house That I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the LORD.” ~Haggai 1:8
Let’s go out today and make our life a “temple” for the Lord.
In peace,
~Juan
