In Haggai 1, God told His people to “consider carefully your ways.” They had put off rebuilding His temple while taking care of their own homes and comfort. It is easy to put off what God asks of us, whether from busyness, fear, or our own priorities. Are we neglecting something God has called us to do? When we turn back to Him, we can trust His promise: “I am with you.”

Daniel was called a man greatly beloved by God. What does that mean for us today? Through Scripture, we see how being beloved connects us to God’s covenant faithfulness, our identity as His workmanship, the intimate love pictured in Song of Solomon, and even the preciousness of our death in His sight. We are not merely loved from a distance. We are treasured by the God who claims us as His own and remains faithful to us even through death.

Why does drawing closer to God sometimes make us more aware of how far we still have to go? The closer we come to His holiness, the more clearly we see our own weakness and need. But that realization isn't meant to drive us away from God. It should lead us to repentance, deeper dependence on His grace, and a life of growing holiness. What has drawing closer to God taught you about yourself?