How to take back what the enemy has stolen?

We have much to learn from David and how he took back and reclaimed what he had lost. 1 Samuel chapter 30 is a classic example of such.

1 Samuel 30:1-2 (NKJV) says, 'Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; They did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way.'

So here David was, as he and his men returned to the city of Ziklag, they saw all their possessions had been plundered, and their wives and children had all been taken away captive by the Amalekites. Not only that, the city was also burned! It was indeed a crushing loss for David and his men, so much so they wept till there's no more strength to weep further! (1 Samuel 30:4)

Here are the 5 keys you can learn from David in 1 Samuel chapter 30:

1. Encourage yourself in the Lord

1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) says, 'And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord.' 

The word 'strengthened' (or 'encouraged' in KJV) here is 'khawzak' in Hebrew. It means 'to find strength, to find courage'. At that time, not only David suffered losses (even the loss of his wives who were taken captive), he was blamed by the other men (whose wives and children were also taken captive) as well. How did David respond in such a time of crisis? David encouraged himself in the Lord! I believe David encouraged himself by remembering God's love for him, God's promises for him, and God's faithfulness toward him. David believed if the Lord had helped him before, the Lord would help him again this time.

2. Seek the Lord with all your heart

1 Samuel 30:7-8 (NKJV) says, 'Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, "Please bring the ephod here to me." And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And the Lord answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them, and without fail recover all."'

What is the significance of the 'ephod' here? By the way, it is a holy vest, a sleeveless garment worn by the Jewish priest. It is symbolic of the priest seeking and inquiring the Lord for an answer, coming before the Lord, and coming into the presence of the Lord. Therefore, just like David, seek Him with all your heart, and you will find the answer. The Holy Spirit inside you already has the solution to every situation of yours. Be still, and know that He is God. Take time to listen to Him. There is nothing that your God cannot solve.

3. Obey His voice and act on His instructions

1 Samuel 30:9-10 (NKJV) says, 'So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to Brook Besor... But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind...'

Upon receiving instructions from the Lord, David didn't sit there doing nothing. David acted on all that the Lord had spoken to him. So, whatever He has spoken for you to do, obey and do it. He will never lead you into trouble. He is the lamp unto your feet, the light unto your path. Trust in Him with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 

4. Show love and kindness when there's opportunity

1 Samuel 30:11-12 (NKJV) says, 'Then they (David's men) found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water...'

David could have just kept going to pursue a 'bigger mission' to hunt the Amalekites down. But on their way, there was this Egyptian man, fallen and left behind in the wilderness. You know what? David stopped to help him. And for this kindness, David was greatly rewarded. This Egyptian man would then show him the exact location of the Amalekites who had plundered Ziklag. So, never underestimate any divine appointment set up by the Lord for you to show love and kindness to others. The Lord sees all your acts of love and kindness, and the Lord will know how to reward you!

5. Persevere till you see breakthrough or results

1 Samuel 30:16-17 (NKJV) says, 'And when he (the Egyptian) had brought him (David) down (to the location of the Amalekites), there they (the Amalekites) were, spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day....'

Notice 'from twilight until the evening of the next day' here. David persevered through. David and his men did not give up halfway, even though it was a long fight. And David stood his ground, even against the odds. For some of you, the Lord is in the midst of training your perseverance, training your patience, and training your tenacity. But like David, your perseverance, patience, and tenacity will pay off. David and his men eventually won, and they recovered all that they have lost (1 Samuel 30:18-19).

People of God, maybe you too are in a situation when the enemy has stolen something from you. It may be your health, your finance, your business, your ministry, your career, or even your family relationships. Or it may be your peace and joy that the devil has stolen from you! 

Whatever your situation may be at the moment, take heart, because just like David, you too will triumph and overcome! And you too will see yourself overtaking the enemy and recover all that has been stolen from you. Hallelujah!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

How to rise above your situation and circumstances?

The Lord says:

"Cast all your cares to Me. Cast all your burdens to Me. You have run this race of faith so far. You have run this journey of life so far. Hang on strong! Persevere! Keep looking to Me, and I will know how to order your steps, step by step, every step of the way. Do not be discouraged therefore, and do not lose heart. I will show you the light and I will show you the way, even if you have not been able to see any yet at the moment."

The Lord says further:

"This is a crucial time to rise above and not come under the spiritual atmosphere around you. Do not bow down to whatever the spiritual forces of darkness wherever you are. For you are made the head and not the tail. And you are made overcomers. He who is in you is greater than the power of darkness that is in this world."

Deuteronomy 28:13 (NKJV) says, 'And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.'

In Christ, you too are the heirs of Abraham, and therefore, the blessings of Abraham are upon you! One of these blessings of Abraham is that you are made the head and not the tail; and you shall be above and not be beneath! Yes, even over and above all your situations, circumstances, or even the spiritual forces of darkness around you, whatever these may be!

In a nation, city, town, village, or even neighborhood, there can be certain prevailing spiritual atmosphere that envelopes the place. For some places, it may be the spirit of depression. So, if a person comes under that atmosphere, chances are he or she will somehow, for no reason, feel depressed most of the time. This is the reality in the spiritual realm. For some other places, it may be the spirit of drunkenness, spirit of idolatry, spirit of suicide, etc. 

But God! The good news is you are made heirs of God through Christ, and therefore, whatever the spiritual forces of darkness around you may be, you can receive the authority, dominion and power of God to rise above and be set free! 

Declare upon yourself that you are the head and not the tail; be above and not be beneath! Know that you have the Master of all situations and circumstances living in you right now! And His name is Jesus!

1 John 5:4 (NKJV) says, 'For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.' Therefore, receive the anointing from on high to overcome and to triumph! 

And whatever happens around you, or whatever news you hear around you, there is absolutely nothing to fear, because you have the One who overcomes (John 16:33) living in you right now! Indeed, He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world! (1 John 4:4) Hallelujah!

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Receive God's provision in a time of 'drought'!

The words of the Lord for this time:

"Even in a time of drought, weather-wise or economic-wise, and even in a time like this, I will know how to provide for those who look to Me and hear My words, as happened to Elijah in a time of drought those days. I will know how to lead you and guide you, even in ways you have never imagined possible."

Indeed, our God is not a dead-end God! Not only He knows how to protect you according to Psalm 91, He also knows how to provide for you! As long as you look to Him, put your trust in Him, and hear His words, you need not fear, no matter what happens in the world around you, or even in a time of pandemic like this. He will know how to make a way for you, and He will know how to bless you, as evident in the life of Elijah those days.

In 1 Kings 17, there was a drought in Elijah's time, due to the sins and abominations committed by King Ahab, who provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger more than all the kings of Israel before him (see 1 Kings 16:30-33). 

King Ahab gave himself to the worship of Baal. Now, what does 'Baal' mean here? It speaks of 'the masters of this world, instead of YHWH (the Lord God Almighty)'. In other words, King Ahab allowed the ways of the world (or the masters of this world) to take over (and infiltrate) the ways of God. And that's when the drought came.

But even in a time of drought like this, Elijah was still well provided for. What is the secret of Elijah? Obedience to whatever the Lord has spoken! In 1 Kings 17:2-5, when the Lord spoke to him to hide by the Brook Cherith which flows into the Jordan River, he did as the Lord has spoken. And there, the Lord even commanded the ravens to feed him!

When the Brook Cherith dried up due to the prolonged drought, the Lord then said to him further, and this time, he was to move to Zarephath where he would meet a widow (1 Kings 17:7-9). There, again, he was well provided for; and not only that, he became a blessing! Because of him, the widow and her son never suffered lack during the drought! (1 Kings 17:13-14)

You see? Just as the Lord had done for Elijah, the Lord wants you to know that He will always show you what to do, what steps to take, and how to go about, even in a time of 'drought' (weather-wise or economic-wise). Your part is to be obedient to His words and be responsive to whatever He has spoken. Flow with His Spirit, walk with Him, and He will know how to lead you and guide you, step by step. If you have taken the first step, He will show you the second step. And if you have taken the second step, He will show you the third step! So, fear not!

And then in 1 Kings 18, the Lord spoke further to Elijah; and this time, he was to present himself to King Ahab. A confrontation with the prophets of Baal and the prophets of Asherah ensued (at Mount Carmel), and Elijah had a great victory! The next thing that happened was the Lord gave rain again, and the drought ended! (1 Kings 18:41-45)

People of God, the Lord will stay true to His words and promises for you, as long as you do not give up on Him. So, whatever predicament or challenges you may be facing at the moment (especially in a time of economic 'drought' due to the pandemic like this), hang on strong and keep looking to the Lord, because the Lord will see to it that you will never be left at the dead-end! 

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

Receive grace and favor to overturn the works of the enemy!

Words from the Lord in this time and season:

"What the enemy tries to work against you, this is your time to receive the grace and favor to overturn its works! Like for Esther and Mordecai in the days of old, I will know how to overturn the works of the enemy and I will know how to turn things around for your advancement!"

People of God, in recent times, if you have been hindered by the enemy, or if you have been attacked by the enemy, fear not, because the Lord is saying to you, "Receive not only My wisdom, but receive My grace and favor to overcome! Look to Me, and I will know how to overturn the works of the enemy against you!"

Let's go to the book of Esther now. The background of Esther is that Mordecai (the cousin of Esther) raised her up and took care of her, because Esther didn't have father and mother since early on. 

Here in this book, King Ahasuerus (the king of Persia at that time) was looking for a new queen because he was offended by the previous queen, Queen Vashti. 

Esther 2:17 says, 'The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti'.

Notice the words 'grace and favor' here. In Hebrew, it's 'khane' and 'khehsed'. So, Esther obtained grace and favor in the king's sight more than all the virgins, and she was crowned the new queen. 

By the way, what is 'grace'? 'Grace' is God's ability and God's supply in your life. It means 'God's ability to do for you what you cannot do for yourself', and 'God's supply for you what you cannot supply for yourself'.

You see, people of God, not only do we need wisdom in life, but we need God's grace and God's favor in our lives too! 'Khane' and 'khehsed'! And no matter what challenges or predicament you may be facing right now, by God's grace and favor ('khane' and 'khehsed'), you will overcome and you will overturn the works of the enemy! God will reverse it for you - for your advancement and for your victory!

Let's study a little about Mordecai now. Even though this book is called the book of Esther, but Mordecai was just as prominent in this book. Proof? Look at chapter 10, the last chapter of this book, and you'll see the whole book of Esther is wrapped up with Mordecai's advancement. So, it's also a book about Mordecai!

Who was Mordecai? This man Mordecai was someone who love God, and who would not bow down to the ways of man that's against God. But because Mordecai did not bow down and pay homage to Haman (Esther 3:1-3), Haman then plotted to kill him. Not only did Haman wanted to kill Mordecai, Haman also plotted to destroy and wipe out the people of Mordecai (i.e. the Jews) entirely! (Esther 3:6-8)

Mordecai then told Esther about Haman's wicked plans. And that's when Esther took a big risk to meet the king, because anyone who entered the inner court of the king without being called to do so, that person would be put to death! (Esther 4:11-16) However, Esther found favor in the sight of the king (Esther 5:1-3). 

Esther then devised a plan to organize a banquet for the king, Haman, and herself - just three of them (Esther 5:4). Do you see that? Instead of telling it all to the king then and there about Haman's wicked plans, somehow Esther had the wisdom to organize a banquet first. Now, how did Esther have that wisdom? I believe it's because she feared the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 says, 'The fear of the Lord (reverence of the Lord) is the beginning of wisdom (knowing what to do, how to go about in life)'.

During the banquet, when the king asked Esther what's her request, Esther then requested for her life and her people's lives be preserved from the plan to annihilate and wipe them out (Esther 7:1-4). The king then asked who would dare to do such a wicked thing to annihilate her people (Esther 7:5), and Esther answered, "The adversary and the enemy is this wicked Haman!" (Esther 7:6) Can you imagine how terrified Haman was at that time? The king became very angry with Haman, and Haman was later executed on the very gallows that he had set up for Mordecai! (Esther 7:10) Things have been turned around!

People of God, fear not therefore if you have been a victim of plots, conspiracies, attacks, character assassinations, or even office politics against you. Continue to fear the Lord, because that's when He will give you the wisdom you need to turn things around (Proverbs 9:10). And continue to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, because that's when God will give you grace (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Indeed, you have an All-knowing, All-powerful, and All-present God, and He will know how to turn things around for those who fear Him, humble themselves before Him, and look to Him! Hallelujah!

Prayer:

"O Lord God, in times like these, we look to You and we receive not just Your wisdom, but also Your grace and favor ('khane' and 'khehsed') to overturn whatever the enemy is trying to work against us. Just as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, You are the same yesterday, today and forever. You are the same All-knowing, All-powerful, and All-present God who knows exactly the plots, conspiracies and plans of the enemy against Your people. And You know how to turn things around for our victory and for our advancement. Anything that has been hindered or seemingly dead-end in our lives, O Lord, we pray for Your divine wisdom, grace and favor to be released upon us this day. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel

The Lord is your defense and vindication!

The Lord spoke these words recently:

"I am your Defense. I am your Vindication. Stay innocent in Me. Stay pure before Me. Do as I say, and say as I say. And I will know how to defend you and vindicate you. I will know how to take over your situation, no matter how hard and tricky it may be. I will know how to overcome whatever evil or malicious plans of the enemy against you."

What does 'vindication' mean? 

It can mean 'the action of clearing someone of blame or suspicion' or 'be proven correct and cleared of blame'. In other words, the Lord will clear you from any form of accusation, blame, or suspicion; and He will prove you right before others, if you walk in His ways and if you walk in integrity before Him.

This word 'vindicate' is 'diyn' in Hebrew, and the Hebrew alphabets for 'diyn' is 'Dalet-Yud-Nun'. 

'Dalet' is a 'picture' of 'door, entrance';

'Yud' is a 'picture' of 'the hand of God (that works)';

'Nun' is a 'picture' of 'seed, heir, or God's promises for you that He is going to fulfil'.

You know what this means? 

Whatever situation, problem, or challenges you may be facing at the moment; and however difficult, hard, or tricky your situation may be, you can surrender it to the Lord and let Him take over. In other words, you can open the door (entrance) for God's hand to work in your situation (instead of you taking matters into your own hands). 

And when you allow the strong hand of God to take over your situation, He will know how to make the way clear for you! And He is going to see to it that all His promises, mission, and vision for you are going to be fulfilled, no matter how the enemy tries to come against you! Why? Because you are the heir of God, the son (or daughter) of God! And He remembers it!

That's exactly what David prayed and experienced during his days. The name 'David' means 'Beloved'. And because you too are a beloved of God, you too can be assured of God's defense and vindication - in any situation that you face in your life!

Here are some of the words of David written in the book of Psalm:

Psalm 18:1-3 (NKJV): I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psalm 26:1-5 (NKJV): Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the LORD; I shall not slip. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes. And I have walked in Your truth. I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.

Psalm 35:1-3 (NKJV): Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

Click here for the full teaching in TiC YouTube Channel