Over the last few days God, through
His Holy Spirit, has reminded me of His many promises and His intense love for
humankind. Within this mix of divine affirmation and confirmation the Father
has revealed an insidious fog of spiritual isolation, slumber which lulls
saints into a false sense of powerlessness.
Some are just battle weary – not so much from grand spiritual battles but more like the little foxes nibbling away at and undermining our JOY and PEACE.
Some are just battle weary – not so much from grand spiritual battles but more like the little foxes nibbling away at and undermining our JOY and PEACE.
The little foxes are everyday stresses, pressures and
discouragement brought about constant change, uncertainty, a barrage of
constant negative headlines and an overwhelming social need. There appears to be
an unnatural sense of busyness – like we’re rushing to get there and yet never
arriving!
A word given to our prophetic healing street work brought
these strongholds (isolation and powerlessness) into sharp focus two weeks ago.
However within a church context I sense that believers in Christ need a gentle
nudge of encouragement that they are not powerless and to guard against giving
the enemy “head” space on isolation. I've fallen into this trap and it's very unpleasant!
As we look in expectation to personal and corporate revival with the command from Joshua 1, “arise , go over the Jordan, you
and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them – the children of
Israel” ringing in our spiritual ears I am reminded that God’s promises are “yes
and amen”. The journey into that place of rest and safety - where we are firmly
rooted and planted in His love – can be a minefield of seemingly endless
pressure that is there to steal the belief and motivation to push on and
through.
I’ve been delivered into and out of many skirmishes and battles
over a 20 year period (documented at http://deepuntodeep-joy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/ocean-of-boundless-salvation-flowing.html)
and can only but testify (shout & dance) to Gods amazing faithfulness
through it all. The greatest resources
we have are Holy Spirit and scripture.
In this season (if you are intent on moving forward, taking
the land and seeing the new day) the book of Joshua is your manual, course,
seminar and road-map all wrapped into one.
The promises (Joshua 1 promises) are the foundation to stand on and wrap yourself
into:
- Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon …. HE has given to you
- No man shall be able to stand before you
- I will not leave you nor forsake you and I am with you wherever you go
- You will have success and prosper (on this journey)
- The Father reinforces, by repeating, “Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid nor be dismayed”
The road-map
(route through the minefield):Whilst we
muddle through and push forward along this road:
- God sends the most unexpected help to get us on our way
- We have to dip our feet in the water first – as an act of faith – before the waters part
- Time to take stock – circumcise our hearts before God - ensure the past is dealt with and cut away
- Expect things that you have been used to change – sow into the future for the future
- Expect to meet “The Commander of Heavens Armies”
- Worship brings walls down and gets the enemy on the run
- Defeat is revisited with success
- The past may at times seem better
- Be on the guard for deception which can lead to compromise
- The battle does intensify and appears to come at you from every angle
- Believe it or not, you get stronger with every skirmish
Be encouraged & know this!
Looking at all the skirmishes and battles
that Joshua encountered it is good to be reminded that EVERY ENEMY Joshua & Co came up against:
- Had heard about what God had done
- Were afraid
- Their hearts melted
- Their spirits left them
- They cowered
Take time out – camp and take stock.
Grab time to sit at the
feet of Jesus, chat to Him in prayer, let your tears flow at His feet, let Him
touch your bruised spirit, wash your feet, feed your soul and shine
His light to warm the chilled atmosphere.
Ask Holy Spirit to write these verses from 2 Corinthians 4
(7 - 18) on your mind.
Cast Down but Unconquered: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that
the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are
hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the
life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
Seeing the Invisible: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our
outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the
things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are
eternal.
Remember always, Romans 8:31 (NKJV) "What then shall we say
to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? "
Its OK to take time out (encamp to refresh and restock) BUT never give up.
With much love
Joy
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