Seek First the Kingdom of God!

And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God. Haggai 1:14

When someone newly give their life to Christ, they are usually excited about it and would tell everyone. They happily begin to serve in the things of God. Then as times goes on, if they allow the cares of life or persecution to press them down, they may lose their fire or their focus on the things of God.

We can get so caught up with the busyness of life, that there is little time for the things of God. In Haggai chapter 1, the people of God were busy about their own business and not about the house of God. God asked Haggai the question; ‘Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste? The house of the Lord laid in ruins, and no one was concerned about rebuilding it. The people were busy about working hard and establishing themselves. God said to them through Haggai; ‘Consider your ways’.

God said to His people in verse 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified. In verse 12 we see how the people responded to God’s instructions; 12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord.

The people feared and obeyed the voice of the Lord. Instead of being more concerned about their own affairs they then turned their attention to building the house of the Lord. Today, it’s not about a physical building, but we are to build and establish the Kingdom of God in the earth. We are to do the work that God has called us to do. When the people made the decision to obey, their spirit was stirred and they did the work of the Lord. What is key to note here, God spoke again through the prophet Haggai, to let the people know that He was with them as they did the work. Know this, God will never call us to do a work for His Kingdom and abandon us.

Matthew 6:33 tells us to ‘seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added’. Lord may our spirits be stirred once again to seek first your Kingdom and your righteousness. May we always remember that heaven and earth will pass away, and that only what is done for you Lord will last. May we trust that you will add all that we need to get the work done. May our faith in you remain strong, knowing that you will not forsake or abandon us. You who promised is faithful.