“When you hoped for a twenty-bushel crop, you harvested only ten. When you expected to draw fifty gallons from the winepress, you found only twenty.” (Haggai 2:16)

Have you ever felt like this? Maybe you don’t have crops or wine, or maybe you do.  Have you ever felt like your hard work had nothing to show for it?

When I read this passage in Haggai chapter 2 this morning, I felt like it was written about me.  And maybe about some of you out there as well.

The content of this chapter is meant to encourage those Israelites who have returned home from captivity and are attempting to rebuild the temple.  They run into some obstacles and face some opposition to their plans.  They get distracted by rebuilding their own estates and farms while trying to re-settle their home land.

Distraction. Obstacles. Opposition.  The more life changes, the more it stays the same.

Don’t be discouraged, our God will never leave you in lack or want…

“I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn.^[e] You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you.” (Haggai 2:19)

Get focused. Clear your head. Get back on track. Put your attention where it should be. Get your priorities straight.

The Lord is so excited that YOU are part of his plan that he wants to bless the seed that you haven’t even sown yet! The seed that is still in the barn, waiting to be released, and it is already blessed! Not only is that seed blessed, but everything that you plant will be blessed.

~Shiney