Mindy Lee Hopman

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation– having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)

The Kiss

There is something special about a kiss a husband gives to his wife before he leaves home. The kiss says I love you, you are mine, and may God protect you until we are together again. The kiss is a daily reminder of the marriage covenant promise — sealed with a kiss so many years ago.

A mother gives the same kiss to her children when they leave for school or sports practice.  The kiss says I love you, you are mine, and may God protect you until we are together again.

We assure our children of our love for them by stamping our kiss upon them – until they become teenagers!  Then we give the kiss through the peace-filled eyes of understanding, right into their big-kid hearts!

The Signet Ring

In the Old Testament, Queen Esther begged the king to save the Jewish nation from being destroyed, but there was one problem. What is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s ring, may not be reversed by man. The king had written a decree to demolish the nation, and he sealed it with his signet ring. No person can change a decree which has come under the seal of the king.

Esther fasted and prayed with her people.  She would go forward to make a plea to the king, which could cost her life or save her nation. 

God strategically placed Esther in the palace for this exact moment. Esther convinced the king to write a separate decree, which allowed the Jews to defend themselves in the battle to come.

The king sealed the new decree and sent it out into the kingdom. 
The Jewish nation defended themselves and survived the attack.

Now you write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring may not be revoked. Esther 8:8 (NASB) 

What is written in the King of king’s name and sealed by the King of kings, may not be reversed by man.

His Promise 

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15 (NASB) 

God fulfilled His promise. 

…in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14 (NASB) 

When you believe in Jesus, you receive the promise and become a child of God.

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NASB)

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; 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 up for me. Galatians 2:20 (NASB) 

His Seal 

God seals His promise in your heart when you believe in Him.

Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the LORD. Song of Solomon 8:6 (NASB) 

God sends the Holy Spirit as a preserving seal to lock in our faith, as an authenticating seal to validate our sonship, and as a protecting seal to keep out destructive forces. The point is that God wants us to feel secure and safe in his love and power. –John Piper

Your Heart 

Your Heavenly Father is jealous for you. Regardless of what you say or do, He will pursue you, and when you turn back to Him, He will seal His promise in your heart until the day of redemption. We are guaranteed as His. 

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (NASB) 

The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1:14 (NLT)

What is written in the King of king’s name and sealed by the King of kings, may not be reversed by man.

…which He will bring about at the proper time– He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 1 Timothy 6:15 (NASB) 

His Strength

Strength for today comes from the Holy Spirit sealed within your heart. Do not grow weary in doing good, my friend, no matter how hard today may seem. Like Esther, God has prepared you for “such a time as this” to reach the people He has strategically placed in your space. Today is not a surprise to our Heavenly Father. In Him, we press on together.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:9-10 (NASB)

During this time of uncertainty, people need to see the Good News. Rest in Him. Trust Him. Help others to see Him through you.

…that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God. Ezekiel 11:20 (NASB)

Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:4 (NASB)

I am sealed because God is faithful.  

Heavenly Father, I praise you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, the seal on my heart of the promise made so long ago.  You confirm the hope which I have set in You.  Thank you for Your seal.  I no longer have to prove myself to You, since Your seal declares I am already approved by You.  May you continue to remind me of exactly who I am through the truth of Your Word.  May my heart rest in knowing that my soul is sealed with Your kiss, which says You love me, I am Yours, and You will protect me wherever I go.

In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen