Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? 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! – Haggai 1: 4-6

After God brought the Israelites out of their Babylonian exile, their hearts were filled with a newfound commitment to the Lord.

But in true Israelite fashion, it didn’t take long for them to make God slap His forehead and sigh in frustration.

King Darius gave them the green light to rebuild God’s Temple and thwarted all opposition.

Yet when it was time to actually build, the Israelites collectively said, “Meh, we’ll do it later. Let’s build our own houses first.”

It sounds unbelievable, but so many of us operate with this mentality on a daily basis.

When we open our eyes in the morning, many of us (talking about myself here) think about so many things other than God.

But the only way to start the day right is with Him – talking to Him, thanking Him, asking Him for the wisdom and guidance we need to move through the day.

If worshipping God isn’t our first instinct in the morning, then we run the risk of being like the Israelites in the book of Haggai:

• planting on our own terms but never harvesting
• picking up sand, only to have it slip through our fingers
• putting our money into a pocket full of holes.
• never witnessing the fullness of the blessings God has for us

God comes before everything.

And if we make the commitment to put Him in first place every single day, we’re guaranteed to see Him work exceedingly and abundantly beyond anything we could ever ask, think, or imagine!

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, help me to not be distracted by the things of this world. When I wake up in the morning, guide my very first thoughts to you in praise, thanks, and worship. Before my feet hit the floor, commune with me and fill me with the wisdom and strength I need to accomplish what you want me to accomplish for the day. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.