While praying, I saw a vision of four shields at four corners protecting God's people from any form of curse words or attacks of the enemy. Each of these shields has words on it. One shield has the words YHWH Rapha. One shield has YHWH Yireh. One shield has YHWH Tsidkenu. One shield has YHWH Shalom. These four shields surrounded God's people, protecting them from all kinds of fiery darts and arrows shot from the enemy's domain.
Indeed, this is a deep assurance for God's people who look to Him, especially in a time of chaos and turmoil like this.
YHWH Rapha (The Lord your Healer): In spite of all the diseases or pestilences that you see in this world, even new strains of diseases, you need not fear, because you have this assurance of His divine health and healing.
YHWH Yireh (The Lord your Provider): In spite of all the economic shakings and uncertainties that you see in this world, you need not fear, because you have this assurance of His provision in your life. He will still know how to provide for you, if you look to Him and walk in His ways and instructions for your life.
YHWH Tsidkenu (The Lord your Righteousness): Whatever curse or ill words spoken against you, whatever attack, whatever witchcraft, and whatever work of darkness that comes against you, the Lord your Righteousness is your shield. His righteousness reigns. Your part is to stay innocent like a lamb, and your Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, will know how to shield you and protect you.
YHWH Shalom (The Lord your Peace): Last but not least, He is your peace. In spite of all the chaos or turmoil, on the macro level (on the world level), or on the micro level (in and around your life), the Lord is assuring you that He is your shalom peace.
The Lord then says: "Be still and know that I am God. I am your shield and your refuge. Whatever chaotic situation or toxic environment that's surrounding you at the moment, receive My shalom peace. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Nothing can take away this peace that I have given you. Therefore, let not your heart be troubled, and let not your heart be afraid."
Beloved of God, if you are in the midst of a toxic environment around you, or you've been on the receiving end of some verbal abuse or curse words against you (and you don't even know what wrong you've done, and it's so unfair to you), this message is for you. This message will assure you. This message will comfort you. This message will set you free.
In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Psalm 46:10-11 says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.'
The word 'still' here is 'raphah' in Hebrew. It can mean 'to cease (from anxiety or worry), to find rest (in the midst of chaos or turmoil), to let go and let God'. In other words, let God be God. Your part is to be at rest and be blessed.
Why you can be at rest and let God take over? Here's the reason. Because Psalm 46:1-3 says, 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.'
This may be literally, but this can also be symbolically in any area of your life. He is present right now in your life. He is not absent. He is for you. He is covering you. He is shielding you in the midst of all the chaos around you. So, whatever you may be facing right now, be it in the ministry, be it in your career, be it in the business, be it in your neighborhood, or be it in your community, the Lord is saying He is your refuge and strength, a very present help.
Let's go all the way to 1 Kings 19:11-12. 'The Lord said (to Elijah), "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, a still small voice.'
The word 'still' here is from the Hebrew root word 'damam', meaning 'in calmness, in quietness, in stillness (in spite of the noises all around you)'. The same it is for you right now. There is a still small voice inside you, speaking to you and assuring you. The Lord is saying He wants you to be at rest and receive His shalom peace, in spite of the chaos, stress, and tensions of this world. Because Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the Lord who is your shalom peace, lives in you.
When the windstorm came, Jesus said, "Peace, be still!" Mark 4:37-40 says, 'And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"'
In other words, He was saying, "How is it that you do not believe that I am the Prince of Peace, I am in control, I am Sovereign?"
What are the areas in your life that you are going through a 'windstorm' right now? Surrender that situation to the Lord. Let go and let God. Let God take over. He reigns over that situation. Even if it seems impossible for you to find a solution right now, the Lord is saying He knows how to make a way for you, and He knows how to clear the way for you.
No one on this earth may be able to fully understand what you are going through. But the Lord is saying right in your still small voice now, "I saw all these. I know exactly what you are going through. Surrender that situation to Me. Surrender that mess to Me. Surrender that problem to Me. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Therefore, let not your heart be anxious, and let not your heart be afraid."
Back to Elijah's still small voice now. This still small voice inside him eventually produced in him a renewed strength and a renewed vigor. His courage was revived. His depression was gone. His calling was restored. He heeded and answered God's call again. And that's how He was able to rise up again.
Beloved of God, like Elijah, it is the same for you today. This same still small voice is also speaking to you and assuring you right now. There's nothing in this world that He cannot solve for you. There's no burden in this world that He cannot carry for you. There's no mess in this world that He cannot clear for you. Because His peace, this YHWH Shalom, now lives in you, inside of you. Amen!
