DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
APRIL 30, 2026
READ: Haggai 1 (Focus vs. 1 & 5-11)
MEMORY VERSE
“The Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.”” Haggai 1:5
BACKGROUND
Ken avoided the migrant workers in his building. Their habits and way of life, so different from his, annoyed him.
One day, however, while Ken was praying, a thought pierced him: They’ve been your neighbors for years, yet not once have you shared the gospel with them. Think carefully about your attitude towards them.
Scripture tells us of when God confronted the Israelites with a similar warning: “Give careful thought to your ways” (Haggai 1:7). After their captivity in Babylon, His people returned to Jerusalem, tasked to rebuild the temple.
God had “moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia” (Ezra 1:1) to order the construction and provide funds (vv. 2-4). But after the people laid the foundation, opposition grew (4:1-5), so they neglected the project for fourteen years.
Through the prophet Haggai, God told them, “Give careful thought to your ways. . . . My house . . . remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house” (Haggai 1:7, 9). God was saying, “Think carefully about how you’re living. Are you doing what I want you to do?”
God disciplined His people (vv. 5-11), but when they resumed construction, He encouraged them, “I am with you . . . . Do not fear” (2:4-5). And the temple was completed in less than five years.
In what area of life do we need to “give careful thought to [our] ways”? Let’s ask God to show us and help us follow His correction.
Karen Huang
INSIGHT
When the Babylonian captivity ended, the Jewish people returned with a mandate from King Cyrus to rebuild the house of God (Ezra 5:13-14).
When the prophet Haggai wrote, it had been eighteen years since their return, and the project remained unfinished due in part to spiritual lethargy.
This became, in a sense, the theme for the book of Haggai—spiritual lethargy that dulls the enthusiasm of the people of God for the things of God. To follow His way requires a heart and passion for Him. Today, God likewise wants to show us where we need to follow Him in obedience.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
How is God’s way different from yours? What things do you need to change to truly obey Him?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“…Spiritual lethargy…dulls the enthusiasm of the people of God for the things of God. To follow His way requires a heart and passion for Him.
PR’s TAKE
““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me to follow Your way.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“FILL ME UP” Tasha Cobbs
…You provide the fire
I’ll provide the sacrifice
You provide the spirit
And I will open up inside
You provide the fire
I’ll provide the sacrifice
You provide the spirit
I will open up inside
Fill me up God
Fill me up God
Fill me up God
Fill me up
Fill me up God…
We need more of you, yeah
You provide the fire
I’ll provide the sacrifice
You provide the spirit (I will, I will)
I will open up inside
Fill me up God
Fill me up God…
Fill me up God
I need a fresh anointing
Fill me up God
Fill me up
Fill me up
I need more of you,
I need more of you
I’ve been running on empty
I need you to feel me again
We cry out for more
We cry out for more
More of your spirit is what we need,
More of your annointing,
More of your glory, fill me
Fill me up God
Fill me up…
