Sep 15 – From This Day!

“‘From this day I will bless you.’” (Haggai 2:19)

The prophet Haggai brings the Word of the Lord not only to the people of Israel, but also to us today. Looking at the people of Israel who had been living without blessing, amidst pain and tears, he declared, “From this day I will bless you.” What a joyful message!

Do you know when the Lord promised to bless them? From the day they began to build the house of God. He was saying, in effect, “Build My house. I will take pleasure in it; and not only that, I will bless you as well.” The Lord sees your determination to build His house and the value and honour you give to it.

Throughout Scripture, we see people building altars. Moses built the Tabernacle. Solomon built a glorious Temple for the Lord. Later, Ezra, Nehemiah and Zerubbabel rebuilt the Temple. They experienced the blessing of the Lord.

Today, the temple you must build is your spiritual life. The Lord who created the heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with human hands. He makes our bodies His temple, His dwelling place, His house of prayer, and His Most Holy Place. Christ dwells within us as the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

When a person begins to think, “I must become a temple for the Lord. I must be a worthy dwelling place for the Holy Spirit who lives within me,” and consequently gives greater attention to his prayer life and the reading of God’s Word, from that day onward the Lord will surely bless him. He will bless him not merely in worldly matters, but also spiritually and in the things that belong to the heavenly realm.

During the days of the prophet Haggai, Zerubbabel zealously laid the foundation of the Temple. He took the measuring line in his hand and began the work of rebuilding. When the Lord saw this, His heart was filled with joy.

“‘In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Haggai 2:23)

Dear children of God, the Lord will make you His signet ring. Therefore, build up your spiritual life. Guard the holiness of your body, remembering that the Holy Spirit dwells in the temple of your body.

Just as kings wore signet rings and used them to seal royal decrees and governmental laws, the King of kings will use you as His signet ring. Your life can carry the authority, character and seal of your heavenly King.

From this day—may the Lord bless you, strengthen you, and make your life a dwelling place for His presence and a signet of His purpose.

Verse for further meditation: “So they celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. And the LORD made them joyful, and made the heart of the king to support them…” (Ezra 6:16, 22)