Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Be overlaid with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and with prayer!

I heard and released these words from the Lord recently:
"I am calling you to persevere in prayer! I am calling you to endure in prayer! There is a call for such right now! Just as Solomon's temple was overlaid with gold, you are the temple of the Holy Spirit! And the time has come for you to be overlaid with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and with prayer!"

'Solomon's temple being overlaid with gold' here speaks of 'you (the temple of the Holy Spirit) being overlaid with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and with prayer'. Why do I say that? Because in Hebrew, the word 'gold' is 'zawhawb', and this word is described as 'something gold-colored, as oil'. As you can see here, 'gold' is synonymous with 'oil'. 'Gold' also speaks of 'the glory of the Lord', and just as the temple those days was filled with the glory of the Lord, so are you today, the temple of the Holy Spirit! (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Let's go to Exodus 17:8-11 now, 'Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed'. 

What is the meaning of 'held up his hand' here? Let Scripture interpret Scripture. In 1 Timothy 2:8, the apostle Paul wrote, 'I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting'. See the word 'pray' here? And see the words 'lifting up holy hands' here? So, obviously, the Lord is speaking to us about prayer here! 

Interestingly, the word 'Amalek' comes from the word 'amel' in Hebrew, which means 'toiling, suffering, laboring with much sorrow', and these are exactly what the enemy want to see happening in God's people! But thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! And the key to receive that victory is through prayer!

Do not give up praying!
Let's go to Exodus 17:12-13 now, 'But Moses' hands became heavy (i.e. weary/tired of being held up); so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword'. 

How do you interpret the above verses? Is there any help for you who have grown weary in praying? The good news is yes, help is at hand! And who is this help? Let Scripture interpret Scripture again, and we shall go to Romans 8:26 now, 'Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered'.

You see? The answer is the Spirit HimselfThe Holy Spirit, who is your Helper! (John 16:7, John 16:13)

And as you pray in the Spirit, things will begin to work out! Romans 8:27-28 then says, 'Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints (that's you and I!) according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose'.

So, people of God, if you have grown weary in praying in the language you know (you have even exhausted all the words that you know, and you're not seeing much results), let go of your own limited ways, and let God! He is unlimited and infinite in all His ways! And that's when God takes what is in His mind, and put it into yours! And as you declare it out with your mouth (though your mind cannot understand what you say), things will soon begin to happen! And that's how the will of God is being done in your life!

And what is the will of God for you3 John 2 says, 'Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers'. And that's exactly what happened to Moses and Joshua those days! Exodus 17:14-15 continues, 'Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek (i.e. toiling, suffering, laboring with much sorrow) from under heaven." And Moses built an altar and called its name, 'The-Lord-Is-My-Banner' (YHWH Nissi)'. Hallelujah!

Today, the Lord has also become your Banner, your Victory, your YHWH Nissi; just as in Moses and Joshua's days! This is a time to be overlaid with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and with prayer, and you shall begin to walk in greater and greater victories! Receive this oil from heaven right now, and let it overflow in every area of your life! Amen!