Consider your ways | Robert & Kay Camenisch

When driving, we consider everything around us and adjust our alertness and speed depending on the conditions. Likewise, when choosing what to wear, we consider our plans and the weather. We also adjust what we say to fit our audience.

We constantly consider things as we make decisions concerning what we will say and do.

And yet, in many ways we sail—or fumble—through life without stopping to think. We follow the easy path, the exciting adventure, or the feel-good moment without reflecting on what the consequences will be.

We don’t stop to consider how our choices will affect our future. The Jews of ancient times made the same mistake.

Not only did they fail to consider what they were doing; they didn’t heed the prophets’ warnings.

And, it cost them dearly. They strayed from God, became rebellious. Consequently, Jerusalem was utterly destroyed, the temple was demolished, and they were Jews were captured and exiled.

They didn’t sit down and decide to turn their back on God. It happened as they went about their daily lives. They failed to fully obey the Lord in one area and then in another, choosing to do things to their own understanding and satisfaction.

Because they refused to listen, God turned His back on them. They were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar, and lost everything. (2 Chron. 36:5-21)

It could have been the end of the Jewish nation, but God was faithful to his covenant people.

Seventy years after Jerusalem was destroyed, King Cyrus sent some of the Jews back with instructions, materials, and supplies to rebuild the temple. They returned with high hopes of rebuilding Jerusalem (Ezra 1).

One of the first things they did was build altars and offer sacrifices to God, acknowledging His mercy, goodness, and faithfulness toward them (Ezra 3:1-6).

They then laid the foundation of the temple and had a great celebration, offering sacrifices morning and evening, shouting, and weeping with joy (Ezra 3:10-13).

But the celebration didn’t last long. Neither did their focus on the Lord and their mission. They were soon distracted from their mission.

Life in Jerusalem was not easy. Establishing homes was a challenge. Neighboring people opposed them and thwarted their efforts to rebuild the temple. Even their crops were destroyed.

Then a new king ordered a halt to rebuilding the temple. It remained in ruins for about fifteen years.

The people were probably confused and questioned their difficulties. They volunteered for the noble task of rebuilding the temple of their God—and thus Jerusalem. In return, their reward seemed to be one hardship after another.

Their efforts seemed futile. They likely wondered if God had deserted them.

Then God, through Haggai, said, “Consider your ways!” (Hag. 1:7).

He also explained their struggles, “’You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house’” (Hag. 1:9).

They may have felt like martyrs for the Lord. They might have thought He had forgotten them, but God said otherwise. Instead, they had forgotten God.

God multiplied their trials because of disobedience. They were working for themselves rather than completing what God sent them to do. God’s hand opposed them—until they returned to Him and began work on the temple.

I can understand how the faithful remnant returned with great hopes only to become discouraged. When trials come, it’s easy to be distracted by difficulties.

When we find ourselves burdened by trials, we need to stop and consider our ways. Have we been distracted from God’s mission?

When life gets rough, we tend to get distracted and seek a path of less resistance, something to make us feel better. We’ve even coined the phrase “comfort food,” for one source of satisfaction in such times. But food is not our only source of comfort.

We seek comfort in entertainment, a book, or—like the Jews in Jerusalem—fixing up our own nest. In the midst of trials, we want comfort.

Furthermore, like the Jews, we tend to seek to fulfill self-centered desires to find comfort.

Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33), and to love the Lord with all of our being (Mark 12:30)—even when (or especially when) life is hard.

David’s familiar words remind us where to find our comfort when trials come. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4). David found his comfort in the Lord, not in chocolates or fancy houses.

It would behoove us to stop and consider our ways—especially in the midst of trials. Is our heart fully focused on God? Do we love Him with our whole heart, soul, and strength? Are we running to Jesus for comfort?

If not, it’s time for adjustments, time to get back on the path that He has prepared for us.

When the Jews repented and obeyed God, He told them, “I am with you” because “according to the covenant” “my Spirit remains in your midst” (Hag. 1:13, 2:4,5). The Comforter gives grace to endure through the trial.

Paul reminds us of further benefits of seeking the Lord while suffering.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ” (2 Cor. 1:3-5).

If we stop, consider our ways, and turn back to God, we find true, abundant, lasting comfort. Comfort and grace that satisfies and energizes.

What occupies your mind when responsibilities don’t demand your attention? Take time to consider it. Your idle thoughts could tell you a lot. Image result for image of someone thinking

Fears dominate many people’s thoughts. The news offers fuel for fearful thoughts, such as the disunity in the country. Some are concerned about their safety because ISIS might attack or war could break out. Those recently ravaged by violent weather, fire, or earthquake are likely questioning their future and how they’ll rebuild.

On a more personal level, we could be concerned about family, health, or finances. Or maybe our minds are filled with dreams of a special someone, about how to acquire the next thing on our wish list, or about a fantasy vacation.

The nature of our thoughts is a mirror into our hearts. Are we trusting, or fearful? Accepting, or judgmental? Joyful, contented, or angry? Hopeful, discouraged, or despondent? Loving, or guarded—or hateful? Other-focused, or self-centered and self-serving? I could add more, but you get the idea.

What do your thoughts say about who you are? What do they reveal about your priorities in life? Your level of trust in God?

I was led down this path by Haggai’s words, “Consider your ways” (Hag. 1:5, 7). Haggai was writing to the children of God who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. It had been destroyed when they were taken into captivity. Those who returned to rebuild were probably people with high dreams, a strong sense of purpose, and a commitment to re-establish God’s place in the center of Jewish life.

However, they became distracted from their goal by the overwhelming task, opposition,and the affairs of daily life. Sixteen years after returning, their dream of a restored temple had faded. Their personal affairs had become priority in their lives. Haggai’s words indicate that their own desires had become of greater importance than serving God.

Consequently, God was no longer blessing their efforts. He said, “’You looked for much, but indeed it came to little, and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to your own house. Therefore the heavens above you withhold the fruit and the earth withholds its fruit. For I called for a drought . . .’” (Hag. 1:9-11a).

The Lord was opposing His errant children. Hs word to them was, “Consider your ways.”

It only took sixteen years for a select committed group to forget their calling and to be all about themselves. I doubt that any of them made a conscious decision to put aside the task God gave them. In a fallen world, it just happens.

We live in a fallen world too. Consequently, we need to stop and make time to intentionally consider our ways. Are we doing what the Lord sent us to do?

After further examples of how the Lord was withholding blessings, God told His children to be strong and work, “for I am with you. According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” (Hag. 2:4b-5).

The Lord is faithful. He desires to bless us. It is we who stray from our calling and purpose. When we do, the Lord withholds His blessings.

If you feel like hard work is for naught, like your yield is being blown away (personally or corporately), stop and consider your ways.

When asked a convicting question, it’s easy to quickly give the “right” or expected answer, thus deceiving ourselves. We can double check our answer by observing what we think about when our attention isn’t demanded elsewhere.

Another way is to consider where we spend our free time–and our free money. What is important enough to us that we make time for it? How available are we to serve those in need who are outside our family?

In short, are we doing what God has called us to do?

When we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33), He will meet our needs. He will be our protection, provision, comfort, love, security, belonging, fulfillment, reward, . . ..”

That doesn’t mean life will always be easy. As the Israelites walked through the desert and got hungry and thirsty, God said it was a test. He tested them to help their faith grow as they saw their God provide. Sadly, it seems they never learned.

The early church was persecuted. Paul was beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked, but through it all, the Lord was glorified because Paul’s faith never wavered. He knew he was in the Lord’s hands and he rejoiced and gave testimony to God’s goodness throughout the hardships.

Whatever situation we’re in, we need to consider our ways and seek the Lord so we can cooperate with His purposes. Only then will we have grace for the moment. Only then will He be glorified through us.

Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships

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