Follow God’s Way 遵行上帝的道

[Dexu Xia]

The Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” Haggai 1:5

Today's Scripture Haggai 1:1, 5-11

Today's Insights

When the Babylonian captivity ended, the Jewish people returned with a mandate from King Cyrus to rebuild the house of God (Ezra 5:13-14). When the prophet Haggai wrote, it had been eighteen years since their return, and the project remained unfinished due in part to spiritual lethargy. This became, in a sense, the theme for the book of Haggai—spiritual lethargy that dulls the enthusiasm of the people of God for the things of God. To follow His way requires a heart and passion for Him. Today, God likewise wants to show us where we need to follow Him in obedience.

Today's Devotion

Ken avoided the migrant workers in his building. Their habits and way of life, so different from his, annoyed him. One day, however, while Ken was praying, a thought pierced him: They’ve been your neighbors for years, yet not once have you shared the gospel with them. Think carefully about your attitude towards them.

Scripture tells us of when God confronted the Israelites with a similar warning: “Give careful thought to your ways” (Haggai 1:7). After their captivity in Babylon, His people returned to Jerusalem, tasked to rebuild the temple. God had “moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia” (Ezra 1:1) to order the construction and provide funds (vv. 2-4). But after the people laid the foundation, opposition grew (4:1-5), so they neglected the project for fourteen years.

Through the prophet Haggai, God told them, “Give careful thought to your ways. . . . My house . . . remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house” (Haggai 1:7, 9). God was saying, “Think carefully about how you’re living. Are you doing what I want you to do?”

God disciplined His people (vv. 5-11), but when they resumed construction, He encouraged them, “I am with you . . . . Do not fear” (2:4-5). And the temple was completed in less than five years.

In what area of life do we need to “give careful thought to [our] ways”? Let’s ask God to show us and help us follow His correction.

Reflect & Pray

How is God’s way different from yours? What things do you need to change to truly obey Him?

Dear God, please help me to follow Your way.

By Karen Huang

全能的主说：“你们要省察自己的行为。”哈该书 1:5

今日经文：哈该书 1:1, 5-11

今日洞见 当巴比伦被掳期结束时，犹太人带着古列王的谕令回归故土，奉命重建上帝的殿（以斯拉记 5:13-14）。当先知执笔写作哈该书时，犹太人已经归回故土十八年了，然而他们依然未完成重建工程，部分原因是因为回归的犹太人陷入属灵的倦怠，这从某种意义上说，成为哈该书的主题，就是阐述那种会消磨上帝子民对属灵之事热情的属灵倦怠。我们若要遵行上帝的道，就必须拥有一颗爱上帝的心和对上帝的热忱。如今，上帝同样希望向我们显明：在哪些方面，我们需要顺从地跟随祂。

今日灵修 Ken 总是刻意避开住在同一栋楼里的那些外来劳务人员。他们的生活习惯和方式与他截然不同，这让他感到十分厌烦。然而有一天，当 Ken 正在祷告时，一个念头深深地触动了他：他们做你的邻居已经好几年了，你却从未向他们传过福音。仔细省察一下你对他们的态度吧。圣经记载了上帝曾向以色列人发出过类似的警诫：“你们要省察自己的行为”（哈该书 1:7）。在结束巴比伦被掳的生活后，祂的子民归回耶路撒冷，肩负着重建圣殿的使命。上帝曾“激动波斯王古列的心”（以斯拉记 1:1），使他下令进行重建工程并为此提供资金（2-4节）。然而，在百姓奠定根基之后，反对势力日益高涨（4:1-5），致使他们将这项工程搁置了长达十四年之久。上帝借着先知哈该对他们说：“你们要省察自己的行为……我的殿……依然荒凉，而你们每个人却只顾忙着修造自己的房屋”（哈该书 1:7, 9）。上帝其实是在说：“仔细省察一下你们的生活方式吧。你们所做的，是否正是我所期望你们去做的呢？”上帝管教了祂的子民（5-11节）；然而，当他们恢复建造工程时，祂却鼓励他们说：“我与你们同在……不要惧怕”（2:4-5）。于是，圣殿在不到五年的时间里便竣工了。 在生活的哪一方面，我们需要“省察自己的行为”呢？让我们祈求上帝向我们显明，并帮助我们顺服祂的管教。 

反思与祷告    上帝的道路与你的道路有何不同？为了真正顺服上帝，你需要在哪些方面做出改变？ 亲爱的上帝，求祢帮助我遵行祢的道路。

作者：黄凯伦