https://odb.org/2026/04/30/follow-gods-way
Haggai 1:5–11 (NIV): 5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but 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.”
7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the LORD. 9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the LORD Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”
Scripture tells us of when God confronted the Israelites with a similar warning: “Give careful thought to your ways” (Haggai 1:7). After their captivity in Babylon, His people returned to Jerusalem, tasked to rebuild the temple. God had “moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia” (Ezra 1:1) to order the construction and provide funds (vv. 2-4). But after the people laid the foundation, opposition grew (4:1-5), so they neglected the project for fourteen years. Through the prophet Haggai, God told them, “Give careful thought to your ways. . . . My house . . . remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house” (Haggai 1:7, 9). God was saying, “Think carefully about how you’re living. Are you doing what I want you to do?” (Karen Huang, Our Daily Bread 30th April 2026)
When the Babylonian captivity ended, the Jewish people returned with a mandate from King Cyrus to rebuild the house of God (Ezra 5:13-14). When the prophet Haggai wrote, it had been eighteen years since their return, and the project remained unfinished due in part to spiritual lethargy. This became, in a sense, the theme for the book of Haggai—spiritual lethargy that dulls the enthusiasm of the people of God for the things of God. To follow His way requires a heart and passion for Him. Today, God likewise wants to show us where we need to follow Him in obedience. (Bill Crowder, Insight, Our Daily Bread 30th April 2026)
I guess like nearly everyone else, we will experience some spiritual lethargy as we progress through life. While work will push us on because of the deadlines and pressure from top management, our spiritual life is personal. What is happening inside of us, no one can really tell. So whether we are active pursuing God or not, no one will know. Are we still actively seeking God for His plans and purposes for our life, for this season? Or are we just drifting along. Quiet time or devotion in the mornings and church on Sundays. That’s basically all there is to it to our spiritual life?
The Israelites, during their exile in Babylon, were allowed to return to Jerusalem after the Persians overrun and took over Babylon. The ancient Persians are the Iranians of today. The Israelites returned and started to rebuild the Temple. But after a few years due to local opposition and other factors, they ceased work. The project was left in abeyance for 14 years before work continued with the encouragement and exaltation from prophets Haggai and Zechariah. It was only later that Nehemiah and Ezra started rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
Is there anything from Jesus that we have put aside because of our other pursuits? Did we defer our calling in God to focus on our careers and jobs? There is no doubt that we have bills to pay and need to put food on the table. Have we kept our spiritual ambitions suspended as we cope with the pressures of life? Whatever we are doing, just remember we are body, soul and spirit. We mustn’t neglect the spiritual part of us. Moreover, with God in our lives, we will do better in life. We may tap into the supernatural while living in the natural. The blessings of heaven may be poured out into our lives.
The work is unfinished. Will we finish it? Will we complete our part? Give careful thought to your ways indeed!
Have a good weekend as the Labour Day long weekend approaches! Spend some time reflecting on our journey with Christ so far. Reach out to Him and He will fill you with His marvellous presence! Amen!
Ronnie's Thoughts 