DO YOU DELAY DOING THINGS FOR GOD?
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- Nov 3
- 4 min read
Today’s Reading:
Haggai 1:1-15
“Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: This people say; 'The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” (v. 2)
There are common sayings such as: “delay is not denial”; “time waits for no man”; what is worth doing at all, is worth doing well and in time”! However, the concept of delay with man is different from that with God. Scripture confirms that God is perfect, timely and sovereign. He has plans which He manifests at his own appointed time. He cannot be too early or too late, by His own timing. No wonder in Hab. 2:3, the prophet said that the vision expected and awaited from God was yet for an appointed time. He further said that though it tarried, it should be waited for because it would surely come. Therefore, with God, delay is truly not delay or denial as mankind views it, because men are generally in a hurry, unlike God. God has set the right time for everything under heaven (Ecc. 3:1).
“Delay” is defined as: to put off to another time; to defer; to postpone; to hinder or retard; to linger or pause. These definitions buttress the fact that everything is set for a specific time. Once the time is past by man’s reckoning, the thing has become delayed. It is common knowledge that there are consequences for delay, which vary with contexts, situations, and fields such as medical, management, etc. However, generally, delay involves negative outcomes such as: resulting in partial or total failure in or of the thing; missed opportunities, financial or quantitative loss or decrease; spiritually, delay can result in stunted spiritual growth of a person. Given the perfect nature of God, it is obvious that He is not pleased with delay, especially in carrying out assignments or work for him.
In Today’s reading in v2, God had observed that the Israelites, whom He had allowed to return from exile and were then settling back into the Promised Land given to them, were then saying that the time had not come for his house (temple) to be built. He expressed his displeasure by asking the people, through Haggai the prophet, that Is it time for them to dwell in their panelled houses, and for his temple to lie in ruins? (v4). Very much unaware of the bad situation they were passing through, God pointed out to them that the negative situation was a consequence of their neglect of the temple. He analysed the situation as this: they had sown, but had brought in little; ate, but did not have enough; drank, but not filled with drink; clothed themselves, but none were warm; and those who earned wages, put them into a bag with holes. Summarily, the people were labouring in vain!
In God’s nature of mercifulness, He was willing that the people should consider their ways (v7). Then he gave them the way out and forward. They were to go up to the mountain and bring wood and build the temple! To further open their eyes to the consequences of delay in building the temple, his house, God told them that they looked for much, but it came to little; and that when they brought the little home, He blew it away because of his house that was in ruin, while everyone of them ran to his own house. The consequence was that the heavens above them withheld the dew, and the earth withheld its fruit. God said He had actually called a drought on the land, on the grains, new wine, oil, all the ground used to bring forth, and also on men and livestock, and on the labour of their hands (v 9-11). Unknown to the people, they were missing out on what should have been benefits of God; if they had not delayed the building of his house, the temple. These benefits include: God taking pleasure in his house and He being glorified (v8); God promised that He was with them if they obeyed his instruction to build (v13).
Gladly, the governor, the high priest and the people came together to work on the house, as God stirred up their spirits. It is important to resolve to be timely, which is the opposite of delay, in carrying out any work or assignment given to us by God, either directly or indirectly. This onus rests on us as believers, especially because it brings pleasure to God, and we reap benefits.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully seek out a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.
Prayer:
Father of the universe, we appreciate the works of your creation throughout the world.
Eternal Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus to the fallen world, to reconcile man back to You.
Precious Lord, as you did not delay in coming to the world for our salvation, please teach us to desist from delaying in working for You and the Father.
Father, help the church to stop delaying its actions towards the Great Commission, so that souls will cease to be lost to the kingdom of darkness.
Lord God, let revival spread through our nation and the world, so that the works of God in the lives of mankind will be duly carried out.
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