The Lord says:
"In a time like this, stay focused on what I've spoken for you to be and to do. Stay faithful in Me and My covenant with you. Keep your eyes and your ears on Me and My Word. The enemy will try to do anything to upset My purposes and plans for your life. Do not allow yourself to get out of focus. Do not allow yourself to get distracted. Shut your ears from those who try to distract you and upset you. Shut your ears from those who don't understand what I am currently doing in your life in this time and season."
How does the enemy 'upset' God's works or plans for your life?
1. By sowing the seed of discouragement against you.
2. By sowing the seed of accusations against you.
3. By using people to gossip or character-assassinate against you.
4. By attacking your health and your well-being.
Let's go straight to the book of Haggai. At that time, God's people had forgotten their priority and purposes. They gave up building what God had spoken for them to build.
But through this prophet Haggai, the Lord conveyed these messages to the people:
1. A call to remain faithful and remember His plans.
2. A call to not get distracted from building what God is building.
3. A call for His people to rise up from the humiliation of their 'Babylonian exile'.
4. A call for His people to reclaim their rightful place and shine for Him.
To apply this in your situation, whatever the enemy tries to 'upset' you or discourage you, don't give in. Don't buy what the enemy is trying to say to you. The enemy is the father of lies. Instead, focus on the Lord. Stay faithful in the Lord. Don't get distracted. Keep remembering your covenant with the Lord. Claim back your inheritance. Claim back your rightful place in the Lord. Yes, that's how you are going to shine for the Lord in this time and season!
Prophet Haggai's prophecy came at a time when God's people were extremely vulnerable and discouraged. They had been humbled by their seventy-year exile in Babylon. They were also so discouraged by the opposition against them in rebuilding God's temple, that they quit.
But God! You know what? God used Haggai to encourage them to complete what the Lord had started. Beloved, this is the Lord's message for you too. The good work that the Lord has begun in you, He is going to bring it to full completion. Amen!
In Haggai 2:2-5, the Lord spoke through Haggai: "Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God's people there in the land: 'Does anyone remember this house - this Temple - in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.'"
See? Three times the Lord said: "Be strong. Be strong. Be strong." The Lord is saying the same to you right now. Be strong. Do not be discouraged. Do not be afraid. Do not get distracted. Stay focused on your God-given calling and purposes in life. Each of us has a specific God-given calling or 'blueprint' in life. No two persons are exactly the same. Each of us has been endowed with spiritual gifts and talents for us to use for His glory. Don't compare with others. Walk the path that God has for you, and keep your focus on that path.
Here in the book of Haggai, the message to rebuild God's temple was simple and straightforward. Of course, your current purpose or calling may not be building a physical temple like in those days. But whatever the Lord has spoken for you to be and to do, stay focused on what He has spoken, and He will know how to honor you!
In Haggai 2:21-23, the Lord spoke: "Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other. But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, I will honor you. 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!"
By the way, 'signet ring' here is 'khothawm' in Hebrew, and it can mean 'signature', which speaks of you having the authority in the Lord to 'sign' something, and whatever you 'sign' in the Spirit becomes a decree!
What is a 'decree' then? In the context of our study today, an authority! It is an authority (from the Lord) given to you, or an order (from the Lord) to cause things to happen.
Beloved, your time for such has come too! This is that time! Greater things are coming your way! A new start! A new strength! A new passion! A new mandate! A new outlook! Yes, a new authority has been given to you! And no power of darkness can overturn it! Believe and receive by faith!
