Stay Focused

When we refocus our priority and put God first, we allow God to set us in the path of enduring fruitfulness (John 15:4). To get to the point where our fruits remain, we have to consistently pay attention to the work we do.

Haggai 2:3 - KJV
Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?

The fact that you experienced the first glory is not enough to sustain it if you do not work to preserve it. Though you strive to revive your zeal and interest in doing the things that please God, it might seem as nothing compared to when you first had the zeal and were encompassed with passion for the things of God. It might be discouraging, seem impossible or a waste of time because of the extent to which you have slacked, but listen to what God says…

Haggai 2:4-5 - NIV
But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'

Do not let what you see discourage you. Get up and begin to do the things that please God, get busy with His business, put His work ahead of you and don’t worry about where the strength, resources and zeal you need is going to come from, your father in heaven has promised that because you have decided to build His temple, His Spirit will always keep you company, do not fear because He is with you.

The reason you need to get busy with the things of God and make it your priority is because power is about to change hands. That which seemed impossible and far off is close. The outcome (fruits, brilliance) of the work we are currently doing (and what we will do) for God will surpass in every way all that we have done in the past (combined) and peace will only be found in the “house” that has been built. Can we afford not to be partakers of this great incentive?

Haggai 2:6-9
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

Focus is the key word to remaining in the straight path that leads to fruitfulness and eternal life. It is what will keep God first in your live. We are all familiar with the scripture that says that you can’t serve two masters (Luke 16:13)… but we all try to juggle the possibility or justify the motive behind our acting out the impossibility of such a decree. The truth is, as long as your focus is not directed at God alone, it is not directed at Him at all.

Haggai 2:11-14 – The Message
God's Message came to Haggai: "God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaks: Consult the priests for a ruling. If someone carries a piece of sacred meat in his pocket, meat that is set apart for sacrifice on the altar, and the pocket touches a loaf of bread, a dish of stew, a bottle of wine or oil, or any other food, will these foods be made holy by such contact?"
The priests said, "No."
Then Haggai said, "How about someone who is contaminated by touching a corpse—if that person touches one of these foods, will it be contaminated?"
The priests said, "Yes, it will be contaminated."
Then Haggai said, So, this people is contaminated. Their nation is contaminated. Everything they do is contaminated. Whatever they do for me is contaminated. God says so.

When we understand that the God we serve is a jealous God (Ex 20:5) and will do whatever is necessary to make us return our focus to Him so that He will be the “center of our world”, we will earnestly seek to remain focused.

Haggai 2:15-17 – The Message
'Think back. Before you set out to lay the first foundation stones for the rebuilding of my Temple, how did it go with you? Isn't it true that your foot-dragging, halfhearted efforts at rebuilding the Temple of God were reflected in a sluggish, halfway return on your crops—half the grain you were used to getting, half the wine? I hit you with drought and blight and hail. Everything you were doing got hit. But it didn't seem to faze you. You continued to ignore me.' God's Decree

The interesting thing is that, when we redirect our focus to God and only God, when we sacrifice our own “desires” and seek to work for Him, He will grant us every good thing that we need, including those we might have considered impossible to obtain without us doing much towards getting them except for working for Him (seeking to do all that pleases Him). The most good we can imagine for ourselves cannot be compared to the minutest blessings God endows on us… how about we do it His way for a change?!

Haggai 2:18-19
'From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid. Give careful thought: Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit.
" 'From this day on I will bless you.' "

Each person is created for a reason, there is an allotted period of time given to you to accomplish what God has called you to accomplish on earth, how close are you to the expiration of that time?… you are either on the Lord’s side or not. You either know what your purpose is or you don’t. You either accomplish your purpose or you don’t. You are either hot or cold. If we know our father, we know He detests “in betweens” (Rev 3:16)

He desires to use you immeasurably because He can! Regardless of whether we choose to admit it or are scared to face the glaring truth, this dispensation is about to end! The world as we know it is rounding up and coming to an end. But God loves you and wants you to play an important role in His Kingdom these end times…

Haggai 2:20 -23
The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 "Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
" 'On that day,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the LORD, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty."

Won’t you rather be used by God? What other option do you have?!

May God open up your eyes to see the hope to which He has called you in Jesus Name, Amen.