Thursday, April 7, 2016

The hand of the Lord that opens the doors

I heard these words from the Lord for this month:
"This is a month of open doors! In My terms and in My ways! Watch My hand do the impossible this month! Look to Me and never limit Me! Watch My hand deliver you this month! Watch My hand work in your situation this month! Watch My hand open the doors for you, when it seems impossible to men! I will open those doors in new ways that your mind cannot imagine!"

I then heard further:
"There's a release of My faith from heaven this month! A faith big enough to see your 'mountains' removed! Receive from Me boldly, and walk in it boldly!"

The word 'mountains here speaks of 'problems, or hindrances'.

Let's do a little study on the hand of the Lord now.

In Isaiah 41:18-20, the Lord says, "I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it."

The word 'hand' here is 'yad' in Hebrew, which actually means 'the open hand, indicating power, means, or direction'. See the word 'open' here? It is this 'hand' that opens 'rivers' and 'fountains' in the midst of every form of 'desolation' and 'valley' in your life, and it is also this 'hand' that opens the 'doors' for you, even in the midst of impossibilities! And when He opens the door, no man can shut it! (Revelation 3:8)

In John 10:9, Jesus says, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." It is interesting to note that the word 'pasture' here is 'nome' (pronounced 'no-may') in Greek, which can mean 'food, or feeding'. This word 'pasture' therefore speaks of you feeding on every good thing that comes from the Lord!

Let's go back to Isaiah 41. In Isaiah 41:10-13, the Lord also says, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish... Those who contended with you, those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'"

People of God, if you have been faced with a 'mountain' in your life recently, take heart in this assurance from the Lord today, that He is here for you and His hand is here to hold you.

The word 'hand' here is 'yamin' in Hebrew, which means 'the right hand, indicating a strong hand'. In other words, His hand is strong enough to help you to overcome, no matter what or how big your 'mountain' may be. Look to Him and never limit what He can do for you!

Let's go to the New Testament now for our cross-reference. The early church was severely threatened by the rulers of the people and elders of Israel at that time, and the believers were forbidden from speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:13-18). It was at such time that they prayed, "Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." (Acts 4:29-30)

And watch now what happened when the hand of the Lord began moving! Acts 4:31-34 says, 'And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul... and with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked...'

You see, when the hand of the Lord began moving, no one (and not even any governmental authority) on this earth could stop Him! And in spite of all those threats and persecution against the people of the Lord, the Bible says 'through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were done among the people' and 'believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women' (Acts 5:12-16). Hallelujah!

People of God, let the hand of the Lord be upon your hands too, and in all that He has called you to do on this earth! Know that His hand is heavenly and supernatural, high above and more powerful than all that the 'enemy' can 'throw' at you! There's therefore no need to fear or be dismayed, whatever your situation may be at the moment!

Your part is to continue to humble yourselves under His mighty hand, casting all those cares of yours upon Him (1 Peter 5:5-7).

By the way, to 'humble yourselves under His mighty hand' is to acknowledge that He is greater, stronger, and smarter than you in every way. After all, He is the One who created the sun, the moon, the stars, and all the galaxies! So, why not let Him lead you and guide you instead? And as you flow with His leading and guidance, that's when you also know there's no need to struggle or strive in all that you do, because His hand has taken over!

During morning prayer last Sunday, my wife (Pastor Sharon) saw a wonderful vision of 'rivers of living water flowing out from those who look to Him, so strong that it pushed open the doors on earth'!

People of God, this is also your time to declare that the hand of the Lord is with you, and He is mighty enough to push open every door that the 'enemy' has shut against you! Your time of breakthrough is at hand. Receive by faith, and walk in it boldly! In Jesus' name. Amen!