Is Your House In Order?

“Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” –

Haggai 1:5 NIV

I’ve been hanging with the minor prophets at the end of the Old Testament lately and this morning I found myself in the little book of Haggai. This book tells us that Haggai was a prophet during the time of King Darius. (The same time as when Daniel spent some time with some very large cats due to a few not so friendly co-workers)

Anyway, in the very beginning of the book, the reader is immediately challenged by the Lord to consider, or give careful thought, to their ways. Then it launches into a series of things that are done (planted much and harvested little, eat but aren’t satisfied, etc. … You should check it out)

The punchline comes later.

The people Haggai is speaking to are the remnant that were left in Israel, specifically Jerusalem, during the Babylonian captivity. their cities were destroyed. Crime was rampant. The temple and its fortified walls were all destroyed leaving the people unprotected from invaders, who were constantly a threat. People were starving. Houses were in shambles. I could go on.

Suffice to say, things were just about as bad as they could get. People were without hope. Then, here comes Haggai with his little note to Zerubabbel and Joshua (not of Jericho fame) and through these leader, ultimately the remnant living in Israel. This note was filled with challenge, correction, and also a very large dose of HOPE!

Verse 9 of the opening chapter offers hearers of this word, and in our time, readers of the word a glimpse into what can be found in the rest of this challenge.

“Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.” Haggai 1:9

While this word from God was directed to a specific group of people for a specific time, this verse struck me and gave me pause. Many times throughout the Bible, God reveals how he takes care of His people. God loves us. God wants what is best for us. Most of the time, when things aren’t quite right, it’s simply because our house isn’t in order. We are so busy with life – work, kids, activities, other people – that we forget the true order that God ordained for us as believers.

In the natural world, things cannot thrive if something is out of sync. Ecosystems crash when one element is out of whack and we end up losing whole species of plant and animal life due to that one element not operating as intended. Whether it is through man-made issues or just things getting naturally out of balance, one peek around nature will tell you that there is order to the system and when the system is out of order, it will collapse unless it can be brought back into sync with the rest of nature.

Humans are not different. (Hello Genesis Chapters 1 & 2). When God sent this little planet a-turning, He created order to the chaos. Some suggest “that’s just for the natural world”. Newsflash! We are part of that natural world. No, this is not an environmental spiel.

My point is, God put things in order in all the world. God desires a relationship with His people. God gives us free will to choose to be in relationship or not with Him. When we allow Him access – full access – to our lives and desire to live in sync with Him, the natural order of our lives hum with an energy not found anywhere else. When God is not present, things are out of whack, out of sync, and unsatisfactory.

If you feel despondent, stressed, without hope, burdened by the world around you or even facing trials that seem insurmountable, ask yourself a very simple question. Is God at my center? Is my house in order?

Let’s be clear, just because God is at your center does not mean a problem free life. But when we place our hope and trust in Him and allow Him to lead, even the biggest problem seems manageable. In 1 Peter 5:7, believers are instructed to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”. Also, Philippians 4:6-7 remind us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with great thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.

From Haggai to Peter, Genesis to the Maps, we are challenged as believers in Christ Jesus to place our house in order. Surrender to the will of the Spirit and allow Him to guide your steps. Is it easy? Nope, never will be. But it is totally worth it!