Putting God First
What is the first thing you think about upon waking in the morning? What do you spend the bulk of your day pondering? What is the number one priority on your to-do list most days?
All of the personal reflection questions above beg us to slow down and consider our ways. We’d all likely agree that it is good to stop and reflect on these questions on a regular basis; however, we’d also likely agree that we’re normally too busy to do so. We wake up and hit the ground running, ready to slay another day and get the job done. We go about our business with no time to waste. And sister, herein lies the problem— we go about our business, ready to take part in our commitments and complete what we have determined to do that day. The problem isn’t that what we’re committed to or partaking in isn’t important, or oftentimes necessary; the problem is that sometimes our priorities don’t match the Lord’s priorities for our lives.
For this same reason, God called a prophet named Haggai to bring a message to His people. After 70 years of exile in Babylon, they had returned and were able to begin rebuilding the temple. The foundation was laid, sparking joy and great praise to the Lord (Ezra 3:10-13). Yet, after facing opposition from adversaries, rebuilding of the temple ceased and there was no more building for 16 years.
Here’s where the prophet Haggai steps on the scene, calling out his fellow Jews for failing to make God a priority. God pointed out to them, using the mouth of Haggai, that their hearts were in a place where they didn’t believe it was time to rebuild the temple. They were content to live in the houses they’d taken the time to labor over, but laboring over God’s temple was still a thing to be put off. Whether consciously or subconsciously, they were not putting God first.
Before we move on, I encourage you to pull out your Bible and read Haggai (it’s only 2 chapters!) for full context.
Consider Your Ways
Opposition causes stress, discomfort, fear, and can be debilitating. Having likely experienced each of these things when dealing with their adversaries while initially building the temple, it’s understandable why they would want to cease. Yet, in the passage of time, God’s people had gotten comfortable. They were comfortable pursuing what they desired, while what God had called them to do lay in ruins.
Before we get too judgmental, I’m sure we can each think of a time or two when we’ve done the same. We heard clearly from the Lord, and perhaps even began to pursue the next thing He called us to; however, something tripped us up. Or, perhaps we just got a little weary, and we “needed a break”. A short break from obedience often turns to hesitancy to start again; a distraction here, a distraction there; or choosing to focus on something a little more “exciting”. But sister, a short break from obedience is summed up in one word: disobedience.
In those times, like the returned exiles, we need to wake up and consider our ways! That was God’s call to His people (Haggai 1:5; 7). This phrase means to put your heart on your path— the path that is God’s path. The temple represented God’s immediate and intimate presence among them, and not completing the temple meant that their proper worship to Him was put on hold. Instead of seeking His face— His presence— other things seemed more important.
What makes us value other aspects of our life more, or view things as more urgent than the Lord’s direction? Simply put, our priorities aren’t right. We think it’s time to “dwell in paneled houses” (verse 4) but the time is passing by and we need to redeem it well by doing what the Lord wants us to do. When we don’t redeem the time well we will constantly say, just as the Jews in Haggai’s day, “the time has not come that the LORD’s house should be built,” (verse 2). We will stay busy building other things, but whatever else we are building, unless the Lord builds it, we labor in vain (Psalm 127:1). Making God a priority means we build our life in Him, not focus on other things. It has to start with us prioritizing Him, so that it’s truly Him who is working in us to build what He’s called us to.
When We’re Not Putting God First
Putting God first starts internally, with a decision. From there we must determine to be immovable in that decision— no distractions or discouragements strong enough to pull us in a different direction. Easier said than done, would you agree?
No, it isn’t easy, sister. But praise the Lord we have the Spirit to guide us, remind us of Scripture, and continually direct us back to the things of the Lord. The Jews in Haggai’s day didn’t have Him living within them. They weren’t born again. Is that an excuse for their delayed obedience? Hardly. They knew what they were to do! What it is is more of a conviction for us— the fact that we do have the Holy Spirit means we have much less of any excuse to put off the things of the Lord!
Not putting God first happens easily when we aren’t yielding to the direction He’s giving us. We begin to listen to our own thoughts, be influenced by the world and the direction culture is heading, or follow the advice of others. Like the Jews, we do not consider our ways. Is this the track on which we want our life? Haggai 1:6 shows the results of building on our own in vain:
You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.
The LORD God basically told them to consider their ways and take a look at the outcome— they were doing lots of work, yet with no results to show for it, or no profitable impact in their lives. They had food, drink, clothing and money— but not enough. They were essentially toiling and spinning their wheels.
When our priorities are off and we aren’t focused on our abundant God, we lack in all areas of life. We may have all the right things and the necessities in life to be grateful for, yet these things can almost become a point of stress for us because we don’t quite have enough. We can be simultaneously surviving and lacking.
If we’re noticing this pattern in our lives, it may help to consider our ways and determine if our hearts are truly set on Him. As His children, we cannot be so set on building up our personal economy that we neglect building the things of the Lord. Worldly considerations cannot be placed ahead of our spiritual health and our relationship with Him.
Putting God First is About Our Hearts
As I was reading through Haggai, I came across a commentary that mentioned something to the effect of this: the returned exiles’ failure to complete a suitable house of worship for the LORD was holding them back from the prosperity they sought. At that moment, I felt the Lord speak to my heart in the same regard, in that the similar struggles we have at times in my own family— feeling like we are constantly working, producing, and serving, but having little or nothing to show for it— do we have the same problem as the Jews did? Are we focused on other priorities, building things that God would not have us build, or building without Him?
This isn’t to say that seeking God first means that we’ll always be living in prosperity and abundance— that certainly is not true either. But it’s not about the end result of gaining abundance and wealth; it’s about our hearts.
God loves His children, and He desires for us to rely on Him because that is truly the only way we will make it in this life. He knows our hearts, thoughts, and the intentions behind our actions, and will draw us to Him in various ways. When we look at Haggai 1:7-11, we see that God was obviously very aware of His people’s intentions and their attempts to build their own lives, but He didn’t just let them continue to go astray. The lack they experienced, the frustration of working hard to produce, yet having little— that was God’s doing. Their harvest amounted to little and what little they did bring home, He blew away; He held back the heavens, called for a drought, and withheld the earth from producing favorably for them.
Why? Because He was mean? No! Because of His great love for them. God wanted them to see the error of their ways so they would know that building anything without Him is futile, so that they’d instead learn to build what He had called them to build first. God wanted to be glorified in their work and subsequent worship at the temple (verse 8) but that couldn’t happen because their lavish houses only glorified themselves.
This begs a question for us, sister, as we in Christ are now temples of God.
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
That question being: Have we neglected the building of the temple (us) to instead build what we want and desire? Who we are in Him is to be honoring to Him. We should be building that first by seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), so all other things can be added to us, not the other way around. Perhaps you are in a place in your life where you have been making God your first priority. You’re actively allowing Him to build you up, and you’re solely focused on His will. Praise the Lord! But, if you’re like me, and you’re seeing some areas where you are toiling and producing little, or you feel the tug of not necessarily being 100% focused on what He has for you right now, I ask you to join me in considering your ways! It’s time for us to be more concerned with pleasing the Lord than pleasing ourselves and our own comfortability.
The Joy Found in Obedience and Putting God First
What a joy when we come to the place where our hearts turn in the right direction and we put God first. When God is speaking to us; prompting us to move in a certain direction; or giving us explicit directions, if we truly have the fear of the Lord we will follow. This is in fact what we see as we move along in our text, in Haggai 1:12. Beginning with the leadership, and with the people following suit, the Israelites, “obeyed the voice of the LORD their God…and the people feared the presence of the LORD.” They took a step back and considered their ways. They were ready to care what God thought and if He approved of their behavior. Ultimately, they were ready to obey His Word.
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…”
They truly began to fear the LORD, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him with all their hearts and souls. May this be where we land as well. Despite the cause of our struggles— whether they be self-imposed, due to disobedience, or spiritual in nature— when we turn our hearts back to the Lord and make the decision to be obedient, we can know that the Lord is giving us the strength to do what He’s called us to do, and He is there with us in the process. We have nothing to fear (Haggai 1:13; 2:4-5). Just like in His interaction with His people in Haggai’s day– despite our lost priorities, distractions, or focusing on other things, when we truly “about face” and turn back to the Lord’s ways, He is right there, still willing to be with us.
Encouragement to Help You Put God First
Download your FREE copy of 22 tips to aid you in making more time for God! This printable will help you truly consider your ways as you seek to put Him first. Simply fill out the form below.
We Turn Back and God Stirs Up
True, God is with us, but He also steps in and works. He isn’t waiting idly like a bystander just watching us strive in the work He’s called us to. It’s His work, and we need His strength! And this is exactly what He provides for us.
Not only was God with His people as they turned back to Him, ready to build the temple, but He went the extra measure and stirred up the spirit of the leaders and all the people. It wasn’t about self-motivation or waiting for an inspirational talk of some sort. Haggai’s message from the Lord brought conviction, caused them to turn back, and God infused them with the zeal they needed to take on His task. But, He couldn’t do this until their hearts were in the right place and they properly feared and regarded God. He was not going to force them to rebuild the temple.
The phrase “stirred up” in Haggai 1:14 means to arouse or awaken. God literally woke up the part of His people that was sleep or dull! He lit a fire and gave them the strength to do His will. As I said, this stirring wasn’t just a feel-good experience– it caused them to take action.
Are we looking for that next self-help book, motivational speaker, or inspiring TED Talk to ignite us into action? Don’t misunderstand– books are helpful and talented speakers can be great to listen to from time to time. However, the true zeal we need to pursue what God is calling us to do is found in Him! It’s the good work that He has prepared for us and that He has called us to do; therefore, He knows what strength, gumption, and spark we need to not only get started, but also to accomplish it. We look to Him.
Putting God First and Keeping God First
How do we put God first? Putting God first isn’t necessarily about a checklist, but allow me to provide for you a quick summary of what was just shared. If you’re wondering how to put God first, please don’t view this as an extensive list or directive– these are simply the things the Lord pointed out to me as I was studying the Scripture.
We consider our ways. We put our hearts on the path that is God’s path.
We remove our focus from other things, and decide to build our life in Him.
Yield to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Seek first the kingdom of God.
Fear the Lord and choose obedience.
Continue to look to God and rely on His strength.
But then what?
There’s danger in thinking that what we’ve now started with Him we somehow then continue to carry it out in our strength and by our own means (Galatians 3:3). The truth of the matter is that sometimes the things the Lord calls us to are big. They seem daunting. They get hard. No doubt, rebuilding God’s temple would be any different!
As we look at Haggai 2, we notice the chapter begins with the LORD bringing encouragement to the leaders and the people.
“‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ ”
At this point, they’d been working for the last month and perhaps they needed an encouraging word. So, God reminded them that even though it looked like ruins and a mess (compared to the original temple), it would eventually be restored to glory even greater than before. Their work would not be in vain.
And neither will ours.
The outcome and the final glory would be up to God, and belonged to God. But like the returned exiles, we play a part in the work– getting our hands dirty, laying the pieces, and building what He calls us to. Yet at the end of the day, it’s God’s construction, just as it was God’s temple, and He has plans and purposes for it.
Sister, will you consider your ways and make God a priority– not just today, but tomorrow, next week, next year? We are blessed to not only have the Spirit among us, but also in us as believers. That zeal, that fire, that strength and energy are constants in our lives if we don’t stifle them. Let it not be so. It’s not time for us to get comfy in our own four walls, for He is ready with the plans for what He’s calling us to build (in Him) next, for His glory.
Are we ready?
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