Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

THURSDAY DECEMBER 29


SIGNET RING

READ:
Haggai 2:23
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“I will make you
like my Signet
ring, for I have
cosen you”
delcares the LORD.
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When I first made the acquaintance of a new friend from abroad, I noticed his posh English accent and that he wore a ring on his little finger. Later I learned that this wasn’t just jewelry; it revealed his family’s history through the family crest engraved on it.

It was a bit like a signet ring—perhaps like the one in Haggai. In this short Old Testament book, the prophet Haggai calls for the people of God to restart the rebuilding of the temple. They had been exiled and had now returned to their homeland and begun rebuilding, but enemy opposition to their project had stalled them. Haggai’s message includes God’s promise to Zerubbabel, Judah’s leader, that he had been chosen and set apart as their leader, like a signet ring.

Father God, may I know my true identity as Your heir this day.
In ancient times, a signet ring was used as a means of identification. Instead of signing their name, people would press their ring into hot wax or soft clay to make their mark. As God’s children, we too make a mark on the world as we spread the gospel, share His grace through loving our neighbors, and work to end oppression.

Each of us has our own unique stamp that reveals how we’re created in God’s image and expresses our particular mix of gifts, passions, and wisdom. It’s our call and privilege to act as this signet ring in God’s world.

Father God, may I know my true identity as Your heir this day. (See Luke 15.)

We are God’s heirs and ambassadors, sharing His love in the world.

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By Amy Boucher Pye | See Other Autho

**We are God’s heirs and ambassadors, sharing His love in he world.

*********************Today’s Bible Reading __ Haggai 2:15-23********************
15 “Now give careful thought to this from this day on__
consider how things were before one stone was laid on
another in the LORD’s temple. When anyone came to
a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When
anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were
only twenty. 17 I struck all the work of your hands with blight,
mildew and hall, yet you did not return to me,’ declares
the LORD. 18 ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day
of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when
the foundation of the LORD;s temple was laid. Give careful
thought: 19 Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now,
the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and teh olive tree
have not borne fruit.

“ ‘From this day on I will bless you.’ “

20 The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time
on th the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 “Tell Zerubbabel
governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and
the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the
power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthorw chariots and
their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the
sword of his brother.

23 “ ‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you,
my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD,
‘and I will make you like my signet ring for I have chosen you,’
declares the LORD Almighty.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Just as Zerubbabel is likened to a signet ring, each Christian is marked by God’s authorized acceptance in Christ (Eph. 1:4–5, 11). As such, we are identified as Christians (Acts 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:14–16) and authorized as envoys or carriers of the most important information in the entire world (Matt. 28:18–20). How can we be more effective disseminators of that truth this week? How could we have a more valuable New Year’s resolution than to act like God’s signet rings in this upcoming year?
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