“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.’ And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 Here is another example of how worship paves the way for victory! The worshipers went out before the army, they led the way. And it was when they began singing and praising that God began to work by setting ambushes for their enemy. I think we underestimate the importance of worship in spiritual battle. It isn’t all about shouting and grunting and wielding a sword (although that’s important, too). True worship, singing and praising God, sets things in motion that we can only imagine! So, today, maybe I (and we) need to sing and praise YHWH more, and in so doing, step out before the army, leading the way for God to work on our behalf. It’s not just a pretty song.
Lately I’ve been fascinated with the idea of walls and masks. Not because I want them, but because I’m ready to break them down and tear them off. I came across this post about breaking down the walls of Jericho after praying through some prayers by Dr. Olukoya about breaking down the walls of Jericho. Here is the link to the article. It is primarily about breaking down our own Jericho walls through obedience to Torah. Here is a link to Dr. Olukoya’s prayer about the walls of Jericho. If you’re interested in learning a bit more about Jericho’s wall, this is an interesting article.
I have to admit that it’s been a huge struggle to have quiet time lately. I don’t know if it’s basically working two jobs, or if it’s a reflection of the spiritual warfare we’re dealing with, or if it’s something mundane, a part of life’s ebb and flow. I feel like I’m wandering aimlessly through a field of words. I don’t know where to start or where I’m heading. They brush past me leaving no marks and close behind me as though I had never trod the path through them. There is no spark, no call, no whisper to guide me or inspire me. I am left to stand or stroll without purpose, without destination, in silence. Oddly, I know I’m not alone. I know that He is there. I remember. I remember the encounter in my living room, and I have no doubt that He is a Living God. I hear and reject the other voices that laugh at me for being part of such an ancient system of belief. That voice, I know, is false. I also know that there is a purpose. God doesn’t create junk or anything or anyone to be useless. I’m standing on the brink of a path and all around it’s dark. I have a match and I know the only way to move on is to illuminate the darkness, to build a fire and cast off those things that clutch and grab and twist and hinder, even those I didn’t realize were there. But time is my enemy, so much to do and so little time to get it done. So many people and things asking for my time, needing me there. I want to be clean. I’m tired of feeling filthy. I’m sick of knowing there are things that need dealing with but not knowing how to get rid of it all. I’m ready to run, not away but rather, towards the battle. I’m ready to learn to fight. I don’t know my role in battle, but I know there is one. And maybe this struggle to seek and spend time is a piece of the puzzle. I ask of YHWH, God, WHO ARE YOU? Outside of theological arguments and the constructs of man, outside of word analysis and the wisdom of learning and study. WHO ARE YOU? And, what am I to You? Calling on His Name Genesis 4:26 And to Seth to him also there was born a son and he called his name Enos then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. Another, random thought. I wonder why it took so long for man to call upon the name of the Lord. From the time that Adam and Havvah were cast out of the garden until three or four generations later (the time of Tubal-Cain and Naamah) no one called on His name. Does that mean that they didn’t seek Him? Or did they not know His name? Why did Adam and Havvah not seek His name? Or perhaps they knew Him and didn’t pass on that information because of their shame (And maybe anger?)? It seems rather important that man began to call on YHWH, but it’s one small verse with no explanation. Perhaps the important things are the least mentioned, least trumpeted, least celebrated. Odd.
There’s a showdown at high noon; It’s all over town. The enemy’s shaking; He’s gonna go down! 1 Chro 29:11 ”Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Psalm 20:5 We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. Psalm 98:1 A Psalm. O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. Proverbs 21:3 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD. 1 Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Last night I was speaking with my mother-in-law about some of the things my brother-in-law has been going through. They grew up in Hawaii, and there’s a massive amount of demonic activity there because of the practices of its original inhabitants. And he was harassed a lot as a child… now he’s having to deal with getting rid of the demons that he dealt with as a child, and it’s not easy, nor is it pretty. As we’ve been dealing with this (my husband is really close to his brother), we’ve found out more, including about some of the curses leveled at the men who fought in Vietnam, which his father did (and seems to be living proof of those curses). It’s probably surreal to some people, but I’ve seen things manifest through people I know. When I was pregnant with my first son one of those things growled at me while I was in bed one night – like a dog growls at someone it doesn’t like. The suggestion that perhaps part of Mr. G’s problem with speech could be spiritually related made me furious! Not that it was suggested, but that something would mess with my little boy! It certainly lends truth to the saying about not making mama angry. Well, I don’t know if that’s what’s going with G. or if it’s just nature. But I do know that I refuse to stand by and let anything harass my littles the way that my brother-in-law was harassed! So, last night I had a conversation with God and I told him that if he would teach me, I would fight. The gauntlet has been thrown. And if it’s made of metal, I’d like to slap a certain prince of the air with it. However, I know that my strength only comes through YHWH and without Him, I’m toast. So, lead on! On a side note: Here’s an excellent post by Skip Moen. It seems like he’s making a stand here, too. :) Read more.
Zechariah 3:1-2 Then the angel showed me Jeshua [fn] the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. Satan [fn] was there at the angel’s right hand, accusing Jeshua of many things.And the LORD said to Satan, “I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from a fire.” The following is from Chuck Smith’s commentary. I thought it was interesting because we are so often taught that we have authority of Satan because we are saved by the blood of Jesus. But this perspective caught my attention because it talks about and looks at the way that God himself rebukes Satan. I agree with the author’s statement at the end: I feel so much safer when I keep the Lord between me and Satan! Anyhow, here is what Chuck Smith had to say about it: Now, I do feel that in the scriptures we do have a pattern when we are dealing with Satan. That is, of not directly dealing with him. I’ve heard people say, “I rebuke you, Satan.” And every time I hear them say that, I shudder. Because I am certain that he is saying, “Paul I know, Jesus I know, who are you?” It is interesting in the book of Jude we are told that when Michael, who is one of the chief angels of heaven, when he was disputing with Satan over the body of Moses, Satan was probably wanting to desecrate the body of Moses, and Michael was standing there, and they were disputing over the body, they were fighting over the body of Moses, that Michael did not bring any railing accusations against Satan. He didn’t rail on him. But Michael this archangel said, “The Lord rebuke thee.” Michael didn’t say, “I rebuke you,” but he said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Here when he saw Satan standing at the right hand of Joshua the high priest seeking to resist him, and Joshua was standing before the angel of the Lord, that the Lord said unto Satan, “The Lord rebuke you.” So I think that if you’re going to be rebuking Satan, that is the way you should do it. That rather than saying, “I rebuke you, Satan,” or even, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” I think that you would be better off to just say, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan, in the name of Jesus.” I always like to keep the Lord between me and Satan. I feel so much safer when I do.
Romans 16:20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. The church where our children attend daycare has a sign that changes each week. The second week we took them there it said, “If God has called you to do a great work, expect opposition.” I had a friend who told me one time that if you’re not facing opposition and Satan isn’t throwing curveballs then you’re not a threat, you’re not a danger to him. We do have an enemy and when we are serving Jesus and loving others and doing what God has called us to do, it threatens him and he will whatever he can to discourage us and cause us to fail. Maybe that’s part of why my family can’t seem to catch a break. I believe my husband is called to do something bigger than he is. But I also believe that the enemy has found those sensitive areas that have caused him to get discouraged and stop moving forward. It affects me as well sometimes. But this verse says that God (even a God of PEACE) will crush Satan under our feet. Not under God’s feet. It will be a victory for us through the power of Jesus Christ. We can fight back with God’s strength, power, and peace. That peace comes from believing Jesus and trusting Him and resting in His ability to do anything no matter how big or small. We don’t have to be weighed down and discouraged by the opposition of the enemy. Our God has overcome the world! He has given us spiritual armor to withstand the assault of the enemy! Stand strong! Stand firm! Stand of the promises and in the grace of God! Stand! And when the time is right, advance!