When He works, who can reverse it?

Isaiah 43:13 (NKJV): Indeed before the day was, I AM HE; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?

In the Amplified Bible, it is written this way: "Yes, from the time of the first existence of day and from this day forth I AM HE; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand. I will work, and who can hinder or reverse it?"

His work is sure. In fact, He is your only sure foundation in the midst of all the turmoils and uncertainties in this world today. His work on the cross is also sure, and His victory has already been won some 2,000 years ago. Based on this sure work of Jesus Christ on the cross, you too can also be sure of your victory and breakthrough today. And when He works, who can hinder or reverse it?

He is the I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14). He is the same I AM HE who delivered His people out of Egypt, the same I AM HE who opened the Red Sea, and if you are a believer, He is still the same I AM HE in you today!

Let's now cross refer to John 18:3-6. Here, Jesus (the I AM HE who became flesh) was betrayed and about to be arrested by the officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. When they came looking for Him, He answered and said, "I AM HE", and at that very moment, they drew back and fell to the ground (John 18:6). You see, no one could ever hinder or reverse Him! He is the All-Powerful, the Great I AM. Yet, because you were on His mind and because of His great love for you, He willingly gave Himself up to be arrested, and later, even died on the cross for you. Not that He was powerless, but He did it for your sake.

Isaiah 59:19 says, "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him."

Not every time the word 'flood' is mentioned in the Bible, it has to be a disaster or calamity. In fact, the word 'flood' here in Isaiah 59:19 is 'nahar' in Hebrew, which means 'great waters, overflowing waters, running waters, abundance, prosperity, sparkle, or be cheerful'. It's actually a picture of God carrying the enemy away like a flood! This is a 'good' flood, the flood of God that washes away the enemy! So, which one is correct in this context here? The 'enemy is like a flood', or 'God is like a flood'? My answer is 'God is like a flood'!

Hence, Isaiah 59:19 should be understood this way: The name of the Lord, the I AM HE is to be feared from the east to the west, and like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against the enemy. Isaiah 28:2 confirms it: "Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing..."

Isaiah 59:19 also says 'the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against the enemy'. The word 'standard' here is pronounced 'noos' in Hebrew, which also means 'to put to flight, to chase away, to be displayed, to put up a banner'. Look now at Exodus 17:9-15. When Moses held up his hand against the enemy (i.e. Amalek), God's people prevailed. And that's how the Lord utterly blotted out the works of the enemy! Later on, Moses built an altar and called its name YHWH Nissi, i.e. The-Lord-Is-My-Banner.

Isaiah 44:3 says, "For I will pour (out) water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring." This prophecy has been fulfilled in Acts 2:1-4. As you receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you (Acts 1:8), the Spirit of the Lord (in you) shall 'put to flight, chase away, be displayed, put up a banner' against the enemy. Amen!

The Bible says, 'He who is in you is greater than he that is in this world' (1 John 4:4), and if He is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31). So, no matter what you see around you at the moment, be assured that He's (surely) here to aid you against your 'enemy' (be it in your life, your family, your city, or even your nation). Do not let anyone rob you of this truth! That's exactly how He swept away the 'enemy' in Moses' days, and yes, like 'nahar', He's going to work the same through you today!

Imagine the mighty wave of running waters splashing and hitting the beach, and the 'enemy' is like someone holding a broom trying to sweep away the on-coming waves! It's in vain! No one can hinder or reverse God's mighty waters! Not by might (whether of human or other forces/resources), nor by power (of human ability or capacity), but by the Spirit of the Lord!

Note: Your enemy is not flesh and blood, but principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness (see Ephesians 6:12).

People of God, know that not only His work is sure, but His covenant with you is also sure! See Isaiah 59:20-21. Interestingly, these verses come right after Isaiah 59:19! And you know what? With Isaiah 59:19-21 in you, that's how you can also be sure that you'll arise and shine, because your light has already come! (Isaiah 60:1) And the best piece of news is 'no one can take that away from you' (Isaiah 43:13). Hallelujah!

Passing the test

Ezekiel 47:3-4 (NKJV): And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist.

This 'man' with the measuring line in his hand speaks of the 'prince', a picture of Jesus Christ Himself, whereas the 'measuring line' here represents 'passing your test'.

Upon passing your 'test' comes your promotion. The Bible says 'promotion (or exaltation) comes neither from the east, west, or south' (Psalm 75:6). Your promotion comes from the Lord. Ezekiel 47:2 says, "He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway (of the temple) that faces east (toward the throne of God)..." The north here speaks of where Mount Zion is (Psalm 48:2).

As a whole, Ezekiel 47:1-12 speaks of God's river flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (where God's throne is), and as the 'man' brought Ezekiel towards the east, the waters became broader and deeper, from ankle deep to knee high, then up to the waist, and eventually, so deep that one had to swim in it (see Ezekiel 47:5). I know the late Ruth Heflin used to speak of this as 'praising God till He brings us into the spirit of worship, and then worshiping Him till He brings us into the spirit of glory'. She was seeing these verses from 'prophetic and worship' point of view, and there's really nothing wrong with it. I have been an ardent learner from her teachings, and was truly blessed by her.

But today, I wish to explain these verses from 'passing your test' and 'promotion comes from the Lord' point of view: As you pass your 'test', God will bring you (lead you) to a deeper (greater) realm of success or anointing.

Maybe some of you have been asking these questions recently:
"When is my breakthrough going to come?"
"O God, when are you going to give me the promotion I've been yearning for?"
"O God, when am I going to see a greater manifestation of Your glory and power?"

In short, you've been asking, "O God, why is my 'river' not deep enough?"

People of God, we are all in the same boat. In life, one cannot avoid disappointments (or delays) at one time or another. The Bible even says, 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life' (Proverbs 13:12). But as a believer and a beloved of God, you must also know God allows certain disappointments or delays not because He hates you or He's all-out to punish you. He cannot, and He will not. His words say so. See Jeremiah 29:11-12.

You may then ask, "Then why does He allow it?"

He allows it because He loves you so much, because of His great love for you. He allows it because He is preparing you for something greater in your life. He allows it because He wants you to get ready for the greater blessings He's going to 'pour out' on you soon! But you've got to get ready for the greater blessings (or anointing), lest you cannot 'contain' it, or in other words, lest you break! Like the old wineskin trying to 'contain' the new wine! When the anointing came upon Jesus (Luke 4:18-19), He was ready. Not much was mentioned about His first thirty years on earth, but even He had to go through a preparation time as well. He has indeed shown us the way. By the way, the number '30' in Hebrew numeric means 'ministry maturation'.

So, take heart. I am convinced He allows 'test' not to harm you or hurt you. His love for you stays the same, i.e. His unfailing love for you. And His grace for you is definitely sufficient. Let's take His word for it. You'll pass your 'test', whatever it may be at the moment, by His grace. Not only that, you'll also rise up stronger than before! And here's a piece of good news for you: If you've been 'tested' left and right in the past year, this is your year of promotion.

Some of you may be facing a test of patience, and for some others, a test of walking in His way & timing (instead of walking hastily in your own way).

Let me share a little on the test of patience. Once, I was watching my wife Sharon planting a lime seed on a pot. Nothing seemed to happen for quite a long time though. No sign of seed sprouting. Definitely no sign of the first leaf growing. About a week later, there still wasn't any sign of life on the pot! By that time, I've already long concluded that the seed wasn't going to make it! A city boy I've been all my life, that's how little I knew about planting. And just as I was giving up on the seed (even tempted to replace the soil, thinking there's really something wrong with the soil!), Sharon confidently said, "Ken, be patient. Just watch and see for one more day." The rest, of course, was history. Not long after that, we started reaping the first fruits. You see, sometimes in life, we tend to 'throw away the whole pot' even before giving enough time for the 'seed' to even grow its first leaf!

People of God, keep walking 'unwaveringly' in what God has spoken or called you to be (no matter what other people may say against you). Some of you may also need to say "No" when 'forced to the edge' to do what God hasn't said for you to do, even if that makes you unpopular or a topic of gossip! May God give you the discernment to know what's God, and what's not, no matter what 'pressure' exerted against you.

Whatever your 'test' may be at the moment, just keep trusting and looking to the sure work of Jesus on the cross. He is your ONLY sure foundation in the midst of all uncertainties in this world. Just be bold and be very courageous, and do not allow yourself to be shaken (or harassed) by the words (or threats) of the enemy (see Joshua 1:9). Just as Joshua passed the 'test', and crossed over Jordan, your breakthrough is also at hand, if you don't give up. Men may disappoint, but God will not disappoint. Men may fail you, but God's love for you never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). So, when He says 'He will be with you', HE WILL BE WITH YOU. See Joshua 1:9 again.

Note: God also sometimes allow certain disappointments (or delays) in order to wake you up, so you'll begin to humble yourself and seek Him (instead of doing it your own way).

Let's now get back to Ezekiel 47:3-4. If the number '10' means 'test, trial' in Hebrew numeric, interestingly the number 'one thousand' (as in 'one thousand cubits' in these verses) means 'divine completeness, perfect fruitfulness'! Jesus Himself has again shown us the way. After the 'trial' on the cross where He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, His name was later highly exalted (the name above all names), and at His name, every knee should bow, and every tongue should confess that He is the Lord! (Philippians 2:8-11)

Note: 1 cubit = the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.

So, upon passing your 'test', He'll bring (lead) you deeper, from ankle deep to knee high, and then up to waist high. And as you pass further tests, He'll bring (lead) you even deeper and deeper, till you swim in His unlimited glory, i.e. a river so broad that it could not be crossed (Ezekiel 47:5-6).

May you fulfill all of His destiny for you. Amen!

Like a tree planted by the rivers

Psalm 1:3 (NKJV): He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Notice the word 'rivers' here. It's plural, which means more than one river. In John 7:37-38 (referring to the Holy Spirit), again notice the word 'rivers' of living water flowing out from you as you drink from Him.

Now, if 'rivers' refer to the Holy Spirit, then 'tree' refers to you as a believer. Psalm 1:1-2 says "Blessed is the man (i.e. believer)... whose delight is in the law of the Lord." The law here is none other than the Aleph Tav, the Alpha and the Omega, i.e. Jesus Christ Himself who has fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). He is the Word of God (John 1:1). So, this is also the time to meditate on the Word of God. Word and Spirit. Spirit and Word. These are keys. That's when Psalm 1:1-2 says in Him, you are blessed! Like a tree planted by the rivers of water! That's who you are!

As you are being planted, know that there'll surely be fruit. It means you can expect fruit. Any gardener will tell you that fruit comes forth easily (& effortlessly) when there's a right condition for the plant. So, you don't have to force 'it' out! You don't have to try hard and strive to 'make it happen'! Because He is the One who makes 'it' grow! In short, His 'rivers' bring you to your fruitfulness! His 'rivers' lead and guide you to your fruitfulness in all that you do!

This is a time to get near the river and drink. This is a time to allow Him to plant, and for some, replant you.

Different tree bears different fruit. Each kind of fruit has its own uniqueness and use. So, this is also the year you'll find (discover) your originality. Whatever tree you are meant to be (or destined to be), that'll be the fruit you'll bear! You know what it means? He wants you to grow in the calling and giftings He has given you, and not try to be someone else. He, the Planter, is here to help you. Rest in Him, and let Him do His work in you this year.

Let's now go to the Hebrew word for 'planted'. It is pronounced 'shathal' in Hebrew, which can also mean 'transplanted'. To transplant is to remove a growing plant with its roots, and replant it elsewhere, and in this case, by the river! Have you been far from the 'rivers' in the past months? Never mind about those months. Past is past. What matters is now, and it's never too late for Him to 'replant' you again.

Interestingly, this word 'shathal' (planted) is also where the word 'shathiyah' comes from, meaning 'to drink or to absorb'. Another meaning of the word 'shathiyah' is 'banquet'. Psalm 23:5 says the Lord prepares a table (or banquet) spread out before you, and your cup runs over. Wow! Overflowing of His living waters! Do you believe this is what the year's going to be for you? In fact, everything you ever needed can be found in His 'rivers'! In them, you find revelation, blessing, healing, restoration, abundance, anointing, and the list goes on. Hence the plurality of the word 'rivers'.

And the best part is His 'rivers' will never dry up or be exhausted, because He is unlimited. See Ezekiel 47:3-5. And where it flows, there'll be healing (Ezekiel 47:8). Where it flows, there'll be resurrection and life (Ezekiel 47:9). Where it flows, there'll also be harvest and abundance (Ezekiel 47:10). Praise God! Ezekiel 47:12 then says, "Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary (i.e. throne of God). Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."

Notice 'fruit' (for food) here speaks of your blessing, and 'leaves' (for medicine) here speaks of your healing. Blessing and healing! In Him, you have all the blessing and healing you needed! Not just that, you shall bear fruit every month in a year, not just a few months in a year. Let's now cross-refer to Revelation 22:1-2. It says 'bearing 12 fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month.' See? Each fruit in each month, 12 months in a year! He wants you blessed not just a few months in a year, but every month in a year! It means every month this year, you'll have more than enough, and every month this year, you should be in good health. Believing, you'll receive. Amen! '12' also speaks of 'divine power'. It means you'll bear fruit not by your own power, but by His power working in you! Praise God! I know this verse talks about the New Jerusalem, but the truth is what happens in heaven can be reflected in you even right now on earth! The Bible says His kingdom come, His will be done (in your life) on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

Revelation 22:3 then says "there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it..." Jesus has carried them all when He died for you on the cross. And today, you can receive His blessing (fruit for food) and healing (leaves for medicine) freely. No more curse and reproach. All carried away! So, go ahead! The river is here, and it's for you to drink and receive! Drink (& keep drinking) from Him, and all that you do this year shall prosper (Psalm 1:3). Amen!

Revelation, not resolution!

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV): Without vision (revelation), My people perish.

The word 'vision' here is pronounced as 'khawzaw' in Hebrew, which also means 'to perceive, to have a vision of, prophetic vision/revelation, see, sight, spiritual insight'.

"Pastor, what then is the difference between revelation and resolution?"

'Revelation' is about "He will..., He will..., He will...", whereas 'resolution' is about "I will..., I will..., I will..."

How many of us have made new year resolutions like these before?
"I will go to gym in the morning 4 times a week without fail this year!"
"I will wake up at 5am every morning to read Bible & pray this year!"
"I will spend 3 hours with God in the morning everyday this year!"
Notice the words "I will..." here.
And then, lo and behold, one or two weeks later (or for some, one or two days later), especially on a nice cold rainy morning, and as your alarm clock began to ring, all you wanted to do then was just to snuggle up under your warm, cosy blanket in bed instead, and you gave in!

We are a people of revelation, not resolution! When I say 'resolution' here, I'm talking about self-made resolution by one's own human strength or effort. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against people making new year resolutions. But today, I choose to speak about God's vision/revelation.

See, it's one thing to strive to achieve your self-imposed resolution, but it's another thing when God is the one speaking to you what you are to do. One is about "I will...", but the other is about "He will do it through me..." One is about self-effort and self-imposed pressure, but the other is effortless and easy. Another difference is God's 'khawzaw' for you will last and remain till the end, but 'self-created' resolutions may not.

People of God, this is the time to receive God's vision/revelation. God is still in the 'business' of releasing His specific instructions for specific situations to His people. What it takes is a heart that hears! He is still (and will always be) the Lord who speaks, and that's exactly how He's going to lead you to your victories and breakthroughs this year! Make no mistake about it. In other words, without God's specific instruction (or revelation), we cannot go far.

So, we are here not trying to create resolutions (like the people in the world do), but we are here to receive His revelation for our year ahead! This is what makes you different from the world. As a believer, you are indeed a peculiar people (KJV), His own special people, set apart as a holy nation, a chosen generation, and a royal priesthood, who once were not, but are now the people of God (see 1 Peter 2:9-10).

Just as the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, and what ought not to do (see 1 Chronicles 12:32), so should God's people today!

As King David consulted the Lord and the captains of the army (see 1 Chronicles 13:2), there's every likelihood that the sons of Issachar were also some of those whom he consulted. I believe that's also how King David received God's timely revelation (& confirmation) on what Israel ought to do then. You see, there could be 101 things for King David to do then, but what he did next was to call for the ark of the covenant (representing God's glory and God's leadership) to be brought back!

Note that in their first attempt to bring back the ark, they failed (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). But as they followed God's specific instructions and specific patterns (1 Chronicles 15:2) in their second attempt, the ark finally was successfully placed where it should be (1 Chronicles 16:1). From then on, the Lord made a covenant with David (1 Chronicles 17), and began to lead Israel to many more great victories and breakthroughs (1 Chronicles 18).

See how one specific revelation led to so many other blessings?

Thank God for a hearing heart in King David! He has indeed caught in the spirit what Israel ought to do then, instead of trying to figure out what they ought to do by his own human wisdom, intelligence, or strength. Without revelation, God's people perish! But thank God where King Saul had failed, King David made it right (see 1 Chronicles 13:3). Israel would definitely not be who they were, if not for God's timely revelation! And that's how important 'khawzaw' is to God's people!

People of God, it's one thing to try (or strive) hard to make things happen by your own self-effort, but it's another thing to let Him make things happen through you, a ready vessel who's humble enough and who's willing to hear and act on His specific instructions (or revelation).

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit... (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

May you also see many more great victories and breakthroughs this year. Amen!