“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” — 1 John 2:15-17
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During the time of the prophet Haggai, the Lord allowed a second wave of Hebrew exiles to return to Jerusalem to continue the rebuilding of the temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians more than 70 years earlier. But when they got there, they got distracted and the work on the temple stopped.
The Lord sent Haggai with this message: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘These people say, “The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.”’ Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?’” (Haggai 1:2-4).
In short, these people became indifferent to God’s Word. Their indifference was caused by their “love of the world” (1 John 2:15-17) and the “deceitfulness of wealth” (Mark 4:18-19). No longer slaves, they were back in their homeland, living in relative comfort in their “paneled houses.”
It’s been said that indifference is one of Satan’s greatest tools of distraction. Indifference to God’s Word and His work in our lives leads to spiritual stagnation and loss of purpose.
As we get caught up in pursuing and maintaining our own personal comfort and well-being, we neglect our calling and our duty. Ultimately, this leads to spiritual dissatisfaction and unfulfillment. Stay focused, “never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). Keep on pushing in the name of Jesus!
— Jerry Birch, Cleveland Cavaliers chaplain
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