Haggai 1:7-11 NKJV

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the LORD. "You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands."

God's people were told that sustenance was being withheld from them because of their neglect of God's house - the Old Testament temple. Their priorities were in the wrong place and they could not expect God to continue to meet their needs while they ignored His. They had a covenant relationship which meant reciprocal action. God said He was withholding rain, grain, wine and oil until they corrected their behavior.

Spiritual parallel: We need spiritual sustenance from God which includes oil - the anointing and the Holy Spirit. If we begin to neglect our Father and begin detaching ourselves from the Source of our total supply, we have no way of avoiding spiritual drought. If we go off on our own and cease waiting on the Lord - ministering to His needs and giving attention and priority to what He wants, we will find ourselves struggling, and failing to avoid dryness. We must regain and maintain our position as a waiter for God, paying attention at all times to His needs and desires. Jesus taught us to make the Kingdom business a priority and all our natural needs will be met. In the same way, when we make the needs of our Lord priority, our spiritual needs will be met.

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

James 4:8a NKJV

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Psalm 63:1-4 NKJV

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.  So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

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