Words from the Lord: "You are not a victim, but a victor!"

The Lord says: 

"Whatever 'storm' you may be facing at the moment, be it in your workplace, in the ministry, or in any area of your life, look to Me and find your rest in Me. Be at rest in the midst of all these 'storms'. Fear not and be anxious not. For I am the Lord who watches over you, and I am the Lord who knows how to defend you and fight for you. The battle is not yours, but the battle is Mine. I see differently from how this world sees, and I am causing you to see how I see in this time and season. My ways are higher. Declare and receive your victory by faith right now. You shall see this come to pass." 

Beloved, whatever 'storm' or situation you may be facing at the moment, the Lord wants you to see yourself not as a victim, but a victor! 

Let's go to 2 Chronicles 20 now. This is regarding Jehoshaphat, and how he saw a victory, a restful victory, in line with what the Lord has spoken today. 

At that time, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom came to battle against Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah. You can say the enemies 'ganged up' against Jehoshaphat.

We have talked about Jehoshaphat not too long ago. But today we shall focus on this person named Jahaziel. Who was Jahaziel? What is the significance of this name 'Jahaziel' in Jehoshaphat's time? How does it relate to your situation now? This is what we are going to look at today. 

To start off with, let's go to 2 Chronicles 20:5-6. Here, Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem, and he prayed, "O Lord, God of our ancestors, You alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty. No one can stand against You!" 

In 2 Chronicles 20:10-12, Jehoshaphat prayed further, "Now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing... For they have come to throw us out of Your land, which You gave us as an inheritance. O our God, won't You stop them? We do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help." 

Here, you see the Ammonites, the Moabites, and the Edomites all 'ganged up' against Jehoshaphat and the people of the Lord. By the way, Mount Seir was part of the kingdom of Edom at that time. 

What did Jehoshaphat do? Jehoshaphat looked to the Lord for help. He did not turn to the left or to the right, but he turned to the Lord. 

Now, here is our focus today: Jahaziel. 

As Jehoshaphat and the people of the Lord began to seek the Lord and look to the Lord, the Lord used this person named Jahaziel in their midst to speak to them. 

2 Chronicles 20:13-15 says, 'As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel... He said, "Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's."'

In 2 Chronicles 20:16-17, Jahaziel said further, "Tomorrow march out against them... But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you... Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!" 

Notice the word 'still' here? Yes, indeed, be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). The word 'still' in the context here can mean 'to cease (from anxiety or worry)', or 'to let (God be God)'. In other words, to allow Him to take over, and to find your rest in Him. 

Now, this is not about defeatism. In fact, it's the opposite. This is not about being lazy. But it's about letting God take over. This is not about not doing anything. But it's about trusting the Lord. And you know what? The rest is history. All these words spoken by Jahaziel came to pass. Jehoshaphat saw a great victory right before his eyes. Not in the ways of man, of course. But in God's supernatural ways. Even in ways human minds cannot conceive.

The name 'Jahaziel' is interesting. It is 'Yakhaz El' in Hebrew. It can mean 'God sees, God looks, God beholds'. Hallelujah! In other words, God is looking at you, God is watching over you, and God is overseeing your situation. In fact, God is beholding you! 

Just like in the days of Jehoshaphat, the Lord is still in control in your situation right now. He will never be out of control in your life. Always remember this. He has done it before. He will do it again. As long as you keep looking to Him and putting your trust in Him, and as long as you do not walk out on Him, you shall see your victory and breakthrough! 

Therefore, let go of whatever restlessness, anxiety, worry, or struggle to the Lord. He understands what you are going through, and He cares for you. 

Maybe you are facing a difficult situation in your workplace right now. Maybe it is in your organization. Maybe it is in the ministry. Maybe some people try to smear your reputation and good name. Maybe you have been falsely accused of something. Whatever it may be, surrender your situation to the Lord. 

Even if no one on earth understands you, the Lord understands exactly and knows exactly what you are going through at the moment. He will know how to stand up for you, defend you, and even fight for you. That's exactly what He did for Jehoshaphat those days. Watch how the Lord 'set ambushes' against all those who 'gang up' against you. Watch how the Lord 'undo' those who seek your downfall. Watch how the Lord 'undo' those who seek to destroy you or destroy your reputation.

Let's move on to the New Testament now, and look at Jesus Himself. 

The truth is if you have Jesus, you have this rest and shalom peace inside you, no matter what 'storm' or challenge you may be facing at the moment. Do you notice Jesus never panicked while He was on earth? He never panicked or get anxious even when faced with the fiercest resistance or opposition. You know why? Because He is the Yahweh Shalom. He is The Lord Who Is Peace. And if you have Him in your life, this peace lives in you. 

What's your part? Your part is to allow Him to take over those 'storms'. Your part is to let Him keep filling you with His shalom peace. With this shalom peace in you, I tell you what, the enemy cannot touch you. Where's the proof? 

1 John 5:18 says so. I read from New Living Translation here. 'We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.' 

Notice "God's Son" here. That's Jesus. God manifested in the flesh. He holds you securely, and you are safe in His hands. In fact, your future is safe in His hands. No matter what the 'storm' may be around you, or whatever happens in this world, in Christ, you are deeply and firmly secured in Him. He is the One who covers you. He is the One who protects you. He is the One who watches over you. Amen! 

The word 'touch' here in 1 John 5:18 is interesting.  It is 'haptomai' in Greek. It can mean 'to set fire on something' or 'to deliberately cause something to burn'. 

Maybe the enemy is trying to "set fire" on your works. Maybe the enemy is trying to "deliberately cause the works of your hands to be burned". The enemy doesn't want you to see good success. The enemy doesn't want you to rise up to be who God wants you to be. Now, we are not fighting flesh and blood. But these may be spiritual forces of darkness. And sometimes these spiritual forces of darkness can use human beings to do that against you. 

The word 'touch' or 'haptomai' here can also mean 'to drive a wedge in your life'. What is 'to drive a wedge'? 'To drive a wedge' in this context is 'to cause your life or your situation to fall apart', or 'to cause your good relationship with someone important in your life to fall apart'. 

The word 'touch' can also mean 'to cause a fight or trouble in your life'. When the Lord is causing you to rise up, or when you are on the way to fulfill your destiny, the enemy may try to cause trouble. But fear not, beloved. You know why? Because 1 John 5:18 says, 'The evil one cannot touch you'. But you've got to believe this. Believing, you shall receive. 

Always remember that the Lord who is in you is greater than he that is in this world (1 John 4:4). As I was praying for someone recently, I saw a shield, a light shining over the person. And the arrows sent by the enemy cannot touch that person. So, I want to believe the same for you too. There's a shield over you. The arrows or the darts of the enemy cannot touch you. Because the Lord is with you. As long as you keep looking to the Lord, He will be with you. 

We shall end this message with Luke 10:19. Jesus says, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." 

Serpents and scorpions here are 'pictures' of the power of the enemy (or the work of the enemy) against you. This can bite. This can sting. This can poison you. But because you have the authority from the Lord, and because you have this anointing from the Lord, nothing shall by any means hurt you. 

What are the enemies in your life? Whatever these are, Jesus has promised that He has given you this authority over all the power of the enemy. Not 'some' of the power. But 'all' the power of the enemy. 'All' means 'all' here. He means what He says. Let's take Him at His Word. 

The Lord says, "Release this message in this time and season." Because He wants to release His anointing and authority upon you. Yes, even the anointing for the supernatural. Receive by faith. Amen!

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Words from the Lord: "I will make things clear for you!"

The Lord says: 

"If you are in a state of confusion or chaos at the moment, seek Me and you will find Me. For I am not a God of confusion or chaos. I will show you the way forward. I will show you the clear path ahead. Things will become clearer and clearer, as you seek Me and look to Me. Let go of whatever past that holds you back, and get hold of Me. You will begin to see clearer and clearer along the way. You will begin to see and understand how I see and what I see for your life and your future." 

This applies whether in your career, in the ministry, in your business, or in any area of your life. So, take heart, beloved, if you have many "questions" about your life that are unanswered at the moment, or if you don't know what to do or how to go about in your life, at this juncture of your life. 

Just look at David when he ended up in the cave of Adullam. It was a chaotic situation prior to that. And he even had to pretend madness. 

Look here at 1 Samuel 21:10-12. That was the time when David was being "hunted" or pursued relentlessly by King Saul who was jealous of him. 'Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said to him, "Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?" Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.' 

So, what did David do? 1 Samuel 21:13-14 says, 'So David changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you see that man is insane. Why have you brought him to me?"' 

King Achish obviously didn't think that was the David the servants were talking about. Now, you might say, "What happened?" That was a far cry from the time when he slain the ten thousands! 

Or maybe in your situation, you too may be asking, "What happened to the dreams and prophecies regarding myself and my future?" 

Maybe you are struggling with life at the moment. Maybe you are in a state of confusion at the moment. Maybe you do not know what to do anymore, going forward. Now, that was probably how David felt at that time as well. You see, you are not alone.  

If you rewind back to 1 Samuel 16, just about five chapters back, David was at that time anointed to be king by prophet Samuel, and supposedly having a great destiny and future. He was the rising star in his land, so to speak. But what happened now? Has God forgotten His promises and words to David? This was likely in David's mind at that time when he pretended madness. He must be wondering how did he reach such a low point in his life? Wasn't his destiny supposed to be great? Wasn't his destiny was to be king, as spoken by prophet Samuel? It's like the whole world came crashing down on David. He was running for his life. He was escaping from King Saul. He even had to pretend madness, just to conceal his identity! 

See what happened next. 1 Samuel 22:1 says, 'David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him.' Now, 'cave' here speaks of 'darkness, fear, out in the cold'. Indeed, it was a 'cave' experience for David at that time. He was fleeing from King Saul, and he had nowhere to go. So he hid in the cave. 

Maybe you too are feeling the same at the moment regarding your career, your ministry, or in any area of your life. Maybe you don't know what to do and how to go about at this juncture anymore. Maybe you are at a 'crossroad' and you don't know which way to go. Maybe you don't see much hope in your future.

1 Samuel 22:2 says, 'And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to David.' In other words, the outcasts, the overlooked, and the misfits in the society at that time. And some of them were there with David. These were the people bitter in their souls. The broken people. 

Instead of being surrounded by dignitaries or the powerful people in the palace, David at that time saw himself surrounded by these broken people. And the Scripture says, 'So David became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.' Yes, in the cave. Having the same 'cave' experience. And even at the time when David himself was broken, God could still use him to touch the other broken people in the cave and raise them up.

To cut the whole story short, these broken people eventually became some of David's most faithful and powerful men (when David became king later in his life). In the darkness of the cave of Adullam, David became like a 'light' to these people. As time went by, these same people were renewed. Their hope rekindled. They were changed. They were transformed. Hallelujah!

You see, of all places, it was in that cave that God began to make clear David's path, the path that eventually led to him becoming the king in Israel. 

I believe one thing David had inside of him that made the difference is he's a worshiper of the Lord. Deep inside him, he has this deep relationship with the Lord. He has this deep faith and assurance in the Lord that the Lord isn't dead, and the Lord hasn't forgotten him. Deep inside him, he trusted in the Lord, and knew it's not over yet for him. He knew the Lord still remembers His promises and destiny for him. 

This 'cave' experience became like a base where David rose up again. In fact, stronger than ever before. You see, at that time, David could have crumbled and given up everything. He could have regressed into a lonely man, or turned into a miserable man. But, no. He didn't. With the Lord in him and with him; and by the grace of God, he rose up. And it was here that he became the leader of this group of seemingly 'useless' people in the eyes of the society. Not just that. They even turned into mighty warriors of the Lord! 

In 2 Samuel 23, the time nearing the end of David's life, you can see the summary of the great things done by some of these mighty men who served with David. And some of them were actually among the four hundred in the cave of Adullam! 

Cross-reference to Psalm 142:3. David prayed this when he was in the cave of Adullam. 'When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path...' Yes, the Lord knew his path. And beloved, the Lord knows your path too. Now, the word 'overwhelmed' here is 'ataph' in Hebrew. Interestingly, this word can mean 'in darkness, in chaos, in confusion'. Exactly like what the Lord has spoken today!

You see, the Lord will know how to show you the path forward, if you look to Him and seek Him. He always sees the 'big picture'. He always sees the end from the beginning, even when you can't. Your part is to be patient. Keep focusing on the Lord, not on your own situation or your own doubts. Everything will become clearer and clearer when you look to the Lord. 

So beloved, whatever 'cave' experience that you are going through at the moment, take heart. Keep looking to the Lord and trusting in the Lord. Do you know that God does great things in the cave? Let me show you the proof. Elijah was in the cave when God spoke to him further about the details of what's to come, and about what he should be doing, going forward. In fact, Jesus Himself was in the cave where His tomb was (yes, that was a kind of cave), before He resurrected! 

You see? Your 'cave' experience; seemingly in the dark, and seemingly not knowing what comes next; can be where God begins a new dawn in your life, where God begins a new work in your life, and where God prepares you for something great in the future! 

Like David in the cave! 

Like Elijah in the cave! 

Like Jesus Himself in the cave! 

Let us remember Proverbs 3:5-6 that says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.' 

Indeed, things are going to become clearer and clearer, as you seek the Lord, as you surrender yourself before the Lord, and as you continue to put your trust in the Lord. 

He will know how to direct your paths. He will know how to show you the way. He will know how to lead you into His destiny for your life. Amen! 

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Rise above your circumstances!

The Lord says: 

"A time to praise! A time to praise! Breakthrough and victory is waiting for you who keep praising! Never give up praising! Surround yourself with the garment of praise! Praise till you see My glory and My power coming! Praise till you know the enemy is being defeated!" 

The Lord says further: 

"Rise above every news that you hear, and keep praising! Rise above every circumstance that you face, and keep praising! As you lift your voice in praise, I will make the way clear for you! As you lift your voice in praise, I will destroy the works of the enemy against you!" 

Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV) says, 'To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.' 

The word 'garment' here comes from the word 'ateh' in Hebrew, meaning 'to array oneself, to decorate oneself'. In the context here, it means to array yourself with the praises of the Lord. And that's how every form of heaviness or burden will be lifted away. That's what the Scripture mean here. 

So beloved, whatever situation you may be facing, or whatever not-so-good news you may have heard recently, continue to put on the 'garment of praise', arraying yourself with the praises of the Lord. Never give up praising. Praise like you have never praised this way before! Why? Because the Lord is saying your victory is at hand, and your breakthrough is on the way! 

Let's talk further about the power of praise, and why praises of the Lord should at all times be in your mouth. 

Psalm 149:5-6 (NKJV) says, 'Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.' 

The words 'high praises' here is 'tehillah' in Hebrew, from the word 'haw-lal', and this word can mean 'to shine, to celebrate, to declare aloud, to make clear the way'. 

As you begin praising the name of the Lord, you are effectively making clear the way in every situation or circumstance of yours! 

Let's look now what happens when you let high praises of the Lord be in your mouth. The answer is amazing!

Psalm 149:7-9 (NKJV) says, 'To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute on them the written judgment - this honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!' 

So, count it as your privilege that you can praise the Lord this way. This is an honor for you. Because as you praise the name of the Lord, and as you lift up His name, He will begin to do all that have been written here in verse 7 to 9. 

Remember, you are not fighting flesh and blood, but against the spiritual power of darkness that tries to cause all kinds of problems against you. As you begin to lift your voice in praises, and lift your hands toward heaven, watch how the Lord will begin to take over your situation, and watch how the Lord will begin to 'execute judgment' on the power of the enemy against you. This is what the Scripture says here. Let's take Him at His Word! 

In cross-reference, let's go now to a rather familiar passage in the Scripture. 2 Chronicles 20:22 (NKJV) says, 'Now when they (Jehoshaphat and the people of God) began to sing and to praise (the same word 'tehillah'), the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.' 

And look here at 2 Chronicles 20:23. What happened here is amazing. 'For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.' 

In other words, the Lord began to execute vengeance and punishment against the people who came against the people of the Lord. You see, the enemies got so confused that they destroyed one another! This, my friend, is the power of your praises unto the Lord. You are causing the power of the enemies to be shaken!

Today, the Lord is saying that you too are like the 'Jehoshaphat' of today! 

By the way, the name 'Jehoshaphat' comes from two words in Hebrew. 

'Yehow' (or 'Yehovah') means 'The Self-Existent and Eternal God'. Your Yahweh. The I Am Who I Am. The I Will Be Who I Will Be. The Great I Am. The Almighty God. The El Shaddai. 

'Shaphat' means 'To execute judgment'. 

Therefore, never underestimate the power of your praises. As you begin to lift up the name of the Lord, and declare that the Lord is great and greatly to be praised, the power of darkness will tremble. Something good is going to happen. The Lord will know how to turn things around for you! Hallelujah!

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