December 20
Missing Out on the Blessing

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 144:1-8 | Hag 1:1-2:23 | Revelation 11:1-19 | Proverbs 30:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Haggai 1-2

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built.’ Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: [4] “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” (Haggai 1:2-4 NIV)

God had been faithful to remember the Jewish exiles. They began to return to Jerusalem from their exile in Babylon and began the task of rebuilding the temple. Opposition arose and the job turned out to be much more difficult and more costly than they had imagined. They became discouraged and gave up on their God-given vision and mission.

The people procrastinated their obedience. They told…