July 19, 2026, 10:30am, Evaluating Your Priorities

We may find ourselves, at times, knowing what we are supposed to be doing, but then we do something else. This may be in the context of work, around the house, at church, or in our daily Christian walk. After the exile of Israel to Babylon, which started in 597 BC, world powers transitioned from Babylon to Persia. After 70 years in exile, they were allowed to return. Upon returning, their first order of business was to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-3). When they returned, they started on the temple, but it was not long before they got involved in their own priorities and the rebuilding of the temple was stalled. 18 years pass, still no more work done on the temple. God calls the prophet Haggai to light a fire under the Israelites and help them redirect their priorities back to God. As we look at Haggai 1, consider if your priorities are God’s priorities. If not, what do you need to change so you and God are on the same page…