Daily Word: think carefully and focus on promise of good in rebuilding (Haggai 1818)

Haggai 2:18

God always speaks before a thing happens. What He has spoken always comes to pass.God makes it come to pass to show that the message is from God. What shall the hearers do? Just believe and go forward. All the great men of God in history accomplished great exploits following this simple key. Today we read from Haggai 2 this prophetic verse: “Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the foundation of the Lord’s Temple was laid. Think carefully. I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you.” (2:18-19)

This is spoken by God to a group of people who were uncertain about their future after starting to rebuild the Temple of God. They inherited a system of ruin (political, social, economic and religious) as a result of years of corruption, neglect, self-seeking among the rulers and administrators in all significant fields of life. They were also facing political and religious enemies all round bent on causing disruptions and distractions to prevent their nation rebuilding efforts.

Who are in this group of brave rebuilders whom God is addressing right now? The group of remnants who have sacrificially left their own comparatively safe and comfortable zone/homes in foreign land and returned to Jerusalem to rebuild. They have responded to a common calling: to rebuild their nation. In today’s language, they left their own personal agenda and responded to God’s agenda.

God also speaks to the anointed leader loud and clear. In the case of this prophetic passage from prophet Haggai, the leader is a prince, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, whom God calls, “My servant.”

Haggai 2:23 “But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

Journey to see God: speak what you mean; mean what you say

The word of God is powerful. “But only speak a word and my servant will be healed.”

The Roman centurion spoke to Jesus in such great faith that Jesus marveled, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8:5-13) What did the centurion do that made him one cut above the others who sought help (healing and deliverance) from Jesus? The centurion’s understanding and acknowledgment of the power in Jesus’ words.

How did he know the word of Jesus had power? He had paid attention to what Jesus had spoken and done. Many others noticed and witnessed the same. The difference was that the centurion chose to believe and not doubt the power of Jesus’ word.
Even Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus told the others that “I will not believe.” He was a typical natural (not spiritual) man. He could not believe unless he saw, and touched. He ‘willed’ not to believe that Jesus would be raised from death. Jesus had spoken this prophecy and told them beforehand that He would resurrect after death. Thomas chose to put his own senses above the word of Jesus.
But Jesus was right. He was raised from death just as He had spoken. His spoken word was life and spirit. When His words are spoken, the spiritual realm changes. The physical will follow.
For those spiritual navigators who want to differ from others in sailing through this span of vast and uncharted waters, it pays to pay attention, understand and believe the word of God. The word is our only sure compass.

So here are more gems today from the riches of the heavenly treasury._____________

‘SIMPLE’ – this is a ‘neutral’ word with two practically opposite meanings. The word can mean ‘stupid’ which is unacceptable. The word can also mean ‘innocent’. Being simple concerning evil is acceptable. On the other hand, you need ‘wisdom’ in what is good. (Romans 16:19) The deciding factor is the object of one’s action: evil or good.
How does one transform from being simple to wise in what is good? The words of God transform.
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
Psalm 119: 130 “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
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‘SPEAK’ – this is the most powerful action word. God speaks. Jesus speaks. The Holy Spirit speaks. The prophets speak. The apostles speak. When God’s words are being spoken they come into physical existence. God spoke light and there was light. God spoke and framed the world by His word, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Words cannot be seen. But they are real. ‘Speak’ is the action word that brings forth physical reality of spiritual truth. Speak faith. Faith in the unseen. But speak anyway.
Here are some powerful Biblical applications:
Jesus: John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
Believers: Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” 10 “for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Apostle Paul: Acts 9:20 “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.”
Perfect man: James 3:2 “For we all stumble in many things, if anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”
Positive words spoken by faith by Apostle Paul:
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 18 “Indeed I have all and abound.” 19 “And my God shall supply all you need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 1:3 “God…has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” 5:30 “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.”
Galatians 3:26-27 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus…baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” 2:20 “…and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
1 Corinthians 2:16 “But we have the mind of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Romans 5:5 “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 8:1 “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” 26 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses…makes intercession for us…” 34 “It is Christ…who also makes intercession for us.” 37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” 31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”