God's Dream v. The American Dream
"This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord .’”
Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!" ~ Haggai 1:2-6 (NLT)
As we look at the above Scripture, we find God saying, “All you people are saying, the time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.” In other words, "We have our own plans God. We don't have time for you. First, let us get ahead in the world, then we’ll focus on you."
But the Lord replies, "Oh, you want to forget about Me and My dream for your lives, okay. But consider how things are going for you! Consider what your lives are like without Me.”
God continues, “You think food is the answer to being filled, but guess what? You get hungry again. You think wine is the answer, but guess what? You get thirsty again. You think the lastest fashions are the answer, but guess what? For some strange reason all these clothes are not enough to keep you warm. You always seem to need more.
You think money is the answer, but guess what? You spend it so fast it’s like you’re putting it in pockets filled with holes. Money, fame, possessions, it’s not going to fill you,”
As we read on in Haggai, we find these words, "This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord . You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses." (v. 7-9)
God tells the Israelites why they are unfulfilled. He says, “Why do you feel like this?…Because My house lies in ruins, while you are all busy building your own fine houses.”
In other words, why do you feel unfulfilled? Because you’re focused on your plans and not Mine. Your focused on things and possessions which cannot fill. And you’re not focused on Me, the only One that can fill.”
