Since by His mercy He gives us still a little time, let us begin in earnest, let us. repair the lost time, let us return with a full assurance to that FATHER of mercies, Who is always ready to receive us affectionately. — Brother Lawrence
A remnant of God’s people had dragged themselves all the way across the desert from Babylon to Jerusalem. As they stood in the ruins of the destroyed temple amid rubble and weeds, God promised, “From this day on I will bless you” (Haggai 2:19).
That’s nice for them, but what is our day of blessing? To paraphrase James Smith from the nineteenth century: What day will God bless you? The day you begin to seek the Lord. The day you decide to be on the Lord’s side. The day you publicly and honestly profess him. The day you heartily engage in his work. The day you return from backsliding and repent of your sin before him.
God’s people had been freed from captivity; their chains were gone; they were home in the Promised Land. And God could hardly wait to bless them. It’s the same for every Christian, and, like a captive returning to God, if we would but plead his promise to bless you, he will. If you would today put that bad habit behind you, if you would only let go of that grudge and reconcile with your friend or family member, if you would be honest in your dealings with people, if you would put behind you all sin, great or small… then you will enjoy peace like a river and your righteousness will dawn on others like the noonday sun. You will be like a tree planted by rivers of water, and whatever you put your hands to will prosper.
Meditate: When Gob blesses you today, pass on that blending to others.
Joni Eareckson Tada joins Randy and Tammy this Tuesday on LIFE TODAY. Excerpted from The Practice Of The Presence Of Jesus by Joni Eareckson Tada. Copyright ©2023 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Published by Multnomah, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Used by permission.
