During my quiet time with the Lord the other day, He spoke to my heart these words: "Don't leave your blessings unspoken!" Because some of the divine promises that I was praying and proclaiming for myself and others were still not coming to pass, even after what seemed to me to be a very long time, I was feeling discouraged. The Lord was letting me know that by leaving certain blessings and promises unspoken, I was leaving them in heaven, instead of partnering with Him for the manifestation of them here on earth.

God reminded me of a promise that I have hanging on my office wall, which says: "You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you." (Job 22:28 NKJV) Because we are created in God's image, our words have authority to manifest reality on this earth when we align our declarations with God's will and Word. When this promise says that our divinely-inspired declarations "will be established for [us]," it means they will be "permanently settled," according to the biblical meaning of the word, "established." Psalm 119:89 (AMP) says: "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [standing firm and unchangeable]." When we boldly declare God's promises over our lives and circumstances, we get into agreement with God's will, inviting Him to move heaven and earth to bring them to pass.

What we have to remember, though, is that this principle can work in a negative sense, too. If we continually make declarations that are not in agreement with God's Word and will, we can establish those evil things before too long. The Bible says: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words." (Matt 12:37 AMP) Our words have "consequences." When we speak declarations of "death" over ourselves or others, we are not in agreement with God, but with the devil, who comes only to "steal, kill, and destroy." (John 10:10) On the other hand, when we speak God's Word and promises, we are speaking "life," and we position ourselves to witness divine breakthroughs and blessings.

The second half of Job 22:28 says, "So light will shine on your ways." The Amplified version says it this way, "The light [of God's favor] will shine upon your ways." The Lord will release His supernatural favor on our behalf when we walk and speak in agreement with Him and His Word. Today, I say to you what God said to me that day - "Don't leave your blessings unspoken!"

Prayer: Lord, remind me often that because I am created in Your image, my words have authority on this earth. Teach me how to use that authority to make divine declarations that are in agreement with You and Your will for myself and others. Help me to continually speak words of life that glorify You, and to resist speaking negatively. Thank You that You will establish Your blessings and release Your favor on my behalf!