Because Of You!

Haggai 1:10
Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops.

You are the reason things are the way they are. The situation is as is because of you. It all boils down to you. The buck stops with you. all fingers point at you. It is as it is, because of you!

God tells His people through prophet Haggai that they have neglected to build the temple and have instead focused on their own houses. God tells them that as a result, they are making no progress in their personal lives. They eat without satisfaction. They dress without warmth. They save money and still lose it. God tells them that they will notice all these problems if they consider their ways. Then God tells them not to think of who to blame but themselves. It is as it is, because of you!

We easily blame God. Sometimes we blame satan. Sometimes we blame imaginary and real enemies. Sometimes we create excuses and blame governments, leaders, etc. We even blame corruption, the environment, and politics. We blame the other race, the other tribe, and the rich. We blame witchcraft, and people with jealousy and bad eyes. But God tells Israelites that this time round, they have themselves to blame. It is as it is, because of you!

God tells Israelites that they are suffering in their personal life, community life, and national life because they have forgotten God. They have prioritized their own interests over those of God. Because of their poor choices, God has withdrawn the rain and crops have failed. They are the reason why God has cursed the earth. Disaster is happening because of them. No one else is to blame. It is as it is, because of you!

Did you know that individuals can bring disaster upon their families, workplace, churches, communities, and even nations? Did you know individuals can also be the reason why everyone is happy and blessed yet they do not deserve it except the individual? You as an individual are a very important factor in the welfare or disaster of your own life and that of others. It is as it is, because of you!

Genesis 12:3 God promises Abraham that through him all the people on earth will be blessed. Genesis 39:5 tells us that just because of Joseph and Joseph alone, Potiphar’s house and businesses succeeded. Everything went well for Potiphar even though he didn’t deserve it. Gladly Potiphar knew that Joseph was the reason for his blessings. Do we know who is the reason for our blessings? Or do we selfishly think it is ourselves? Could you be the reason why God is blessing your family, your workplace, your neighborhood, your community? If you allow God you will be the reason for a blessing. It is as it is, because of you!

Joshua 7 tells us that because of the sin of Achan, the whole of Israel could not succeed in war. Not even a small battle against a small city of Ai. One man, just one man, became the source of their disaster and misery. One man brought a curse on everybody. Luckily the one man was identified and punished. Jonah 1:12 tells us that because of Jonah, the sailors lost property that they threw into the sea to save themselves. Because of Jonah everyone almost perished. Because of Jonah, the entire sea was facing a storm. Jonah knew he was the problem. Do you know and acknowledge that you could be the problem bringing a curse and trouble to the whole family, the whole office, whole committee, the whole community, and the whole country? It is as it is, because of you!

Because of one slave girl, Naaman was healed of leprosy. What is your contribution? Are you a blessing or a curse? The state of affairs currently is because of who? God says examine yourself, you could be the reason why you are broke. You could be the reason why you are still single. You could be the reason why your marriage is troubled. You could be the reason why nothing you try works. Fix your relationship with God and everything will change. God assures people through Haggai that if we prioritize God, blessings will come, until then, we are responsible for the mess around. It is as it is, because of you!

Because of one person on a sinning trip, the whole bus breaks down to delay the sinner hoping he repents. Because of one person who is prayerful, accidents are prevented by God’s angels. Because of one tithe paying believer, rains come to even people who never attend worship. Because of one hypocrite in the congregation, the church has not known any peace, it is wrangle after wrangle. What is your contribution? Blessings or curses? It is as it is, because of you!

Dear God, make me a reason why people are blessed around me. Save me from being the curse that plunges everybody into trouble. Because of me, bless people and be glorified forever, in Jesus’ name, Amen!