Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Haggai 1: 5-7, NIV.
LORD God Almighty, here we are once again, in need of a word from You. We pray that You will make us not only hearers, but doers of Your Word. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Our society and the world at large is undergoing a terrible financial crisis. It is the worst that I have seen in my lifetime. Some of our most brilliant minds in the field of finance and economics, have been consulted, and, in some cases, tasked, with finding a solution. I am sure that they have done, and are still doing, their best, to bring about a positive change in the situation. But we still have a problem. Our six figure paychecks do not seem to have the same power of acquisition as before. We do not seem to find satisfaction in our accomplishments, and our resources seem to be failing. I wonder if it would not do us good to heed the Word of the LORD, and, “consider [our] ways?”
A few days ago, I commented in one of our devotionals, that God does not have one set of laws for one group of people, and another set of laws for the others. I believe that we have been able to appreciate the fact that God is indeed “One” (Deuteronomy 6: 4). While it is true that God will meet us where we are as individuals, He will not leave us there. He will take us where His will can be fulfilled in us. His Word reminds us that the day is coming when there will be “one flock, and one shepherd,” because there is only “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4: 5). You may be asking where I am going with this. Let me share my thoughts with you.
When the Lord brought Israel out of Egyptian bondage, and was about to lead them into the promised land, He warned them, ” ‘ “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage . . . then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. . . ” ‘ ” (Deuteronomy 8: 11-14, 17, 18). I believe that God is saying to America: “Remember your Creator, and your beginnings.”
Many of the great nations in our world today, can look back at where they are coming from, and if they are honest, will admit, that had it not been for the Lord, they would not be who they are today. The great United States of America began with a group of Christians who were seeking a country in which they could worship God according to the dictates of their hearts. They were fleeing from religious persecution. “But the earth came to the help of the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth” (Revelation 12: 16). These Christians found a place of refuge among the Native Americans who were willing to show them how to survive in unfamiliar territory, and resist the inclemency of the weather that first winter in America. For this they were so thankful that the celebration of a Day of Thanksgiving was instituted in commemoration of God’s abundant mercies.
But it seems, that like Israel of old, we have forgotten the real Source of our blessings and prosperity, and have begun to believe that it is because of who we are, and what we are capable of, that we have reached this far. It would be good for us to remember, that it is because of who God is, that we have become such a great nation. In humility, may we consider our ways, and return unto the Lord! When we are willing to give the things of God the priority they deserve, we can be sure, that God will prosper the work of our hands. Like the widow of Zarephath, it will be said of us as a nation, “[They went away and did as [God] had told [them]. So there was food every day for [them and their families]. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah” (1Kings 17: 15, 16, emphasis provided).
We will continue!
NOTE: There has been some correction to today’s devotional. Our regrets.