“CONSIDER YOUR WAYS”! (Haggai 1:5,7)
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018: It’s that time of year — time to figure out what you’re going to resolve to do better next year. In years past, Americans’ top New Year’s resolutions typically have been commitments to improve physical, mental and financial well-being.
Top resolutions: * Get in shape * Get quality sleep * Stop procrastinating * Learn something new * Earn or save more money * Reduce stress * Give up bad habits
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5:
[4] When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
[5] Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
There are at least two reasons why it can be good to make resolutions at the beginning of a New year.
First, it forces us to look at ourselves—to be honest about our failures and our need to change. Second, making a list of resolutions can turn us to God.
Nearly twenty years had passed away since a remnant of God’s people had returned from captivity. During most of that time nothing had been done to restore the temple. Yet the people had thought of their own comfort. They dwelt “in ceiled houses.” God raised up Haggai to point out their mistake.
Haggai asks God’s people to consider what direction their life was headed, and if they really wanted it to continue that way. The cause of their difficulties was their wrong priorities and therefore their wrong direction!
Therefore Haggai cries, “CONSIDER YOUR WAYS” so that they (and we) would discover —
The need to change and the need to turn/return to God!
Who does God want you to be in 2018? What is it He wants you to do?
