Matthew 3:10 (NKJV): And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
The word 'ax' here is pronounced 'ax-ee-nay' in Greek, from the word 'agnumi', which means 'to break'. People of God, this is a time for breaking free! During a time of worship and prayer recently, I also heard the Lord say, "This is a time for deliverance and setting free from the old and the past!"
The Lord has also been speaking much about 'trees' and 'uprooting of trees' recently. In fact, something unprecedented happened in my land not many weeks ago, when within an hour, so many trees were uprooted (all over the land) like this land has never seen before! My wife even captured the sight of the marauding clouds (like a giant tsunami wave over the sea) on camera just moments before it happened, and bang! The wind came, the storm came, and the rain came, and there went all those trees!
In the spiritual realm, I believe the Lord is currently in the midst of uprooting many old things (old ways, old structures, old mindsets, old patterns, etc), bringing with Him renewal all over. And yes, even in the way His people do things!
Let's go back now to Matthew 3:10. 'Ax' (according to the Oxford Dictionary) is a 'cutting edge' or a 'cutting instrument', and from the biblical point of view, it functions like the Word of God (see Hebrews 4:12) that cuts away the root of a tree, and breaks the work of that particular root. Therefore, the 'ax' here speaks of the Word of God.
During the windstorm in my land recently, I also noticed that most of the trees being uprooted were the old ones. In fact, some of the trees uprooted on that day were as old as hundred over years!
People of God, this is a time to allow Him to lay the ax to the root of the 'old structures' that do not work anymore in this new season! I know it's never easy to let go of the old (whether it's a system, a pattern, or anything else) or something you hold dear (or are familiar with), but this is a time to move on so that the new things can come!
Even on a personal scale, allow Him also to lay the ax to the root of some of the prevalent problems within your family tree. For example, just because your grandparent had cancer, and then your parent had cancer, it doesn't mean you will soon have it too! And even if medical studies may have proven that there can be certain genetic tendencies and link (say, cancer) running in a family tree, you don't have to agree with it, because you already have the Word of God in you (to agree with), the 'ax' that cuts to the 'root' and breaks the work of its 'root'!
You may want to pray this prayer for deliverance and setting free right now:
"Lord Jesus Christ, like the ax in Matthew 3:10, your Word cuts to the root and breaks the work of this root of _________________ (name the prevalent problem) in my family tree. Right now, I claim and receive my deliverance and freedom from this problem/curse, and allow you to uproot this generation problem/curse in my life forever. Thank you for Your deliverance and for setting me free today. In Your mighty name. Amen!"
Having been set free, now is your time to also draw directly from His living water (speaks of His Word and His Spirit) as you look forward to a new future (and destiny). Psalm 1:3 (paraphrase) says, 'for you shall be like a tree transplanted (being removed with its roots and being replanted elsewhere) by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever you do shall prosper'.
In cross-reference, Job 14:7-9 (NKJV) says, "For there is hope for a tree. If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth branches like a plant."
Here, the Bible says there's hope for a tree (speaks of 'you and me, i.e. His people') even at the scent of water ('mayim' in Hebrew). This 'water' speaks of His living water, and indeed, it is now being poured out for His people!
So, receive now His water ('mayim' in Hebrew) that flows for the new things to come, and for the beginning of new sprouts and new shoots to grow! Receive it for your life, your family, your ministry, your vocation, your business, and even your investments!
And the best part is as you receive this 'living water' that comes from Him (and not from the world), you'll also be assured of a destiny-change (from the 'old'). A new destiny now beckons, a God-given one! Praise God! Walk in it now. In Jesus' name. Amen.
