“Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:5-6)
The people in Haggai’s day work hard, but their efforts don’t bring the expected result. They never have enough. They are not satisfied. The Lord draws their attention to this situation, and tells them that He is behind it. God has withdrawn his blessing because the people neglect their calling to rebuild his house!
Haggai’s audience is exhorted to reflect on their lives and to rethink their priorities. The solution to their unfulfilled lives is not to try harder, but to take a step back and put God in the center of their lives again.
These verses call us to “consider our ways” as well. Do we experience God’s blessing? Are we filled with the peace, joy, and pleasure that God promises his children, or are we constantly searching for more without ever being satisfied? If the latter is the case, could it be that our unrest and lack of satisfaction are due to an inadequate relationship with the Lord?
Our own efforts can’t satisfy our deepest longings. We need God at the center of our lives. He should be our hearts’ desire. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and God will provide for all other things (see Matthew 6:33).
Do you thank God every day for the blessings He gives you?