Listen Up!

“Alright, boys. Now listen up!”

These were the words with which my high school soccer coach began every halftime talk. After the whistle, the team would make their way to one end of the field and gather to listen to the words of our coach. He had personal playing experience and was competent in teaching. He knew his stuff. It was obvious, because the preparation during the weekly practices and in-game strategies translated into results on the field. And so we listened, we made adjustments, we followed his gameplan, and won a lot.

In 520 B.C., after 16 years of neglecting God’s command to rebuild the temple, the prophet Haggai delivered a message to the former exiles at Jerusalem: “Consider your ways” (Hag 1:5, 7). For years, God’s people refused to obey the command to rebuild the emblem of God’s presence with the excuse that it simply wasn’t the right time. Instead they considered other things – personal comfort and gain – to be of higher priority. Yet their efforts left them empty and wanting more:

You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. (Hag 1:6, ESV)

But then God spoke. “Now, listen up!”

His words were a call to evaluate their practices, adjust their course, and enjoy satisfaction in Him. It was clear that their game plan was wanting and that a thorough evaluation was in order. And so, they listened.

We too need the occasional adjustment. The proper response to God’s “Consider your ways” is to repent, obey, and fear. Our Lord – the sovereign, almighty, all-knowing, patient, generous, and holy One – is our priceless treasure.  He meets our repentance with comfort, our obedience with blessing, and our fear with empowerment. Each of these are fulfilled in Him, in His presence (Hag 1:13). He deserves no less than the highest place. “Christ is not valued at all, unless He is valued above all” (Augustine of Hippo).

Doing life God’s way – obedience – leads to thriving and satisfaction. There is no excuse for choosing our way over God’s way. He knows what is best, because HE is what is best!

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV) – “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.