Several times the prophet Haggai ordered... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Consider your ways! You have sown much and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink.
Haggai 1:5.6

Several times the prophet Haggai ordered the people to review their lives thoroughly. In our verse that meant standing still, looking back and weighing up the cost and value of their pathway.

The people had been very diligent in past years since returning to the land of their fathers. They had resisted the enemy, recultivated their fields with great effort and long since furnished their houses comfortably. But one thing was still wrong: they had little to show for all their effort.

God sent the prophet Haggai to declare the true reason for their lack of success. He said, as it were, "Do you realise that I myself blew on your harvests, withholding the dew of heaven and calling for drought. And why? Because you have forgotten My house and care only for your own interests. I have nothing as a result of all your activity. Return to Me and work on My house. Then I shall be with you and shall bless you richly."

The Lord appeals to us today in the same way. There is no lack of activity: much is sown. We eat and drink. We take in so much to nourish and refresh us and quench our thirst. Yet we are still mentally worn out, hungry and parched with thirst. What is the cause? The Lord Jesus Himself gives us the answer: "Think more of me and my interests. Drink the water that I give you; eat the true bread of heaven" (cf. John 4:14; 6:32). Make me the centre of your lives and your families. Then there will again be lasting profit for your hearts and souls, but only then."

Today's reading: Exodus 5:15-6:8 · Luke 2:8-20