7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” – Haggai 1:7 (NIV)
As a dad, there are few things on earth that bring me as much joy as when I can bless my boys with good things. Whether it’s an unexpected candy bar and a Dr. Pepper, or buying them a gift that’s been on their wish list for some time, it warms my heart to be able to generously show my love to them.
However, there are some requirements in order to be blessed in this way. Have all the chores been getting done? Have you stopped arguing with your mother? Have you been getting all of your homework finished and turned in on time? All expectations that have been clearly laid out.
Because my boys have experienced my generosity and blessings in the past, they have no hesitation to seek it out when the opportunity arises. Errands at Walmart? “Hey dad, can I have…?” Quick stop at a gas station? “Hey dad, can I have…?” A visit to the outlet mall that ends up with us walking past the Lego store? “Hey dad, can I have…?”
As much joy as I get from blessing them with all that I can, it breaks my heart just as much when I have to say no because of behavior, attitudes, or disobedience. It’s then that I remind them to think about how they’ve been behaving this past week. I want them to understand that I’m not saying no because I’m just a grumpy old dad who’s being a cheapskate. I’m saying no because the life they’ve been living requires that I withhold my blessings for the time being. I’m saying no because the seeds they’ve been sowing are not producing the good fruit that should be growing.
These people receiving this message from the Lord through the prophet, Haggai, have not been living up to their end of the covenant relationship with God. And as you might imagine, the blessings have come to a screeching halt, too. It’s in this moment that the Lord invites them to look deep inside and discover what is truly going on and why there seems to be a lack of fruit in their lives.
If it seems like the blessings of God have gone missing in your life, could it be that there’s something deep inside needing to be transformed? If the fruit of your life doesn’t seem to be passing inspection, then right now is a good time to pause, reflect, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the motivating driver behind it all.
Remember, the Lord your God is a loving God who loves to bestow His blessings on His children. The Lord your God is a gracious God who calls us to repentance. The Lord your God is a faithful God who meets us when we finally come to the end of ourselves and transforms us into the men and women He intends us to be.
Pray.
Fast.
Get into His Word.
Use this 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting to give careful consideration to your ways in order that Jesus would get you in alignment with His ways.