Haggai 1:9
“You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.”
This is God’s mercy in action. We have our goals, and we work toward them. However, at times God wants something of us. So, He’ll put roadblocks in our way. That’s mercy.
To do God’s will is our highest action. Most don’t know what that is. That was the case in today’s verse. So, he frustrates one’s efforts to get his attention. Acts 16:6-10 is a great example of God stepping in to give guidance, ‘They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; and passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately sought to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.’ Here are three interventions by God to direct them.
What’s interesting is that they saw these interventions as from God. Not just inconveniences. Most would be frustrated by the roadblocks. As one grows in maturity in Christ we discern more readily when God is trying to get our attention or to guide us. Hebrews 5:14 is a scripture that gives us some insight, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.” I see this as a reference to spiritual senses. Directly this is saying that we can discern between good and evil. In broader sense I believe we can discern what pleases God and when He is directing us. I see that in the Acts passage. They knew those interruptions as from God.
It’s better for us to discern God’s will and to do it verses being forced like today’s passage. Psalm 32:9 says, “Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.” We want to have understanding when it comes to God’s will.
My family will joke with me when a door closes. “Oh, it must not be God’s will.” I believe that is a common way God guides us. Not all closed doors are from Him, but they can be. I’m glad my family also recognizes that. Their spiritual senses are getting sharper.
Today’s passage was a big deal. Israel had come back from captivity and were trying to rebuild their lives. They were busy with many pursuits. That’s fine. They should be trying to right the ship. However, God’s temple was in ruins. They should have been trying to get in shape as well. That’s a big, glaring issue. We may have those. Don’t keep putting those off. God will put roadblocks trying to get your attention. That’s His mercy. He won’t block it forever. Just like with Pharaoh. God warned him many times. He eventually gave up on him.
Most of life is made up of the smaller things God wants to work on. He will put roadblocks there too. Maybe not as drastic. This is where the spiritual senses come into play. We discern the small interruptions as God possibly trying to get our attention. We comply and focus on that task. God is building His kingdom in our lives and in the world. It’s a beautiful thing.
Thank You, Lord, for Your interruptions. Give us eyes to see when it’s You. Thank You for wanting us to assist in Your kingdom. Thank You for building the kingdom in our lives.