Judges 4:4-5 (NKJV): Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
The 'house' of Israel was in a 'mess' at that time. Judges 4:1-3 says, 'When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his (Jabin's) army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. And the children of Israel cried out to the Lord; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel'.
It was then that the Lord raised up a Deborah to put the 'house' in order for Israel. According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the name 'Deborah' in Hebrew simply means 'bee' (in the sense of orderly motion, from its systematic instincts), and this word comes from the word 'dabar', meaning 'to speak, to declare, to arrange, to appoint'.
One good characteristic of bees is that they just know how to work in unity (work together) to accomplish one common goal, that is 'to make honey'. 'Honey' in this context speaks of 'sweetness', i.e. the result of their 'working together'. Interestingly, this was also one of Deborah's traits! Not only did she put things in order by her spoken words ('dabar'), she also epitomized someone who worked in unity with her fellow brethren for one common purpose - to triumph over the enemy!
Let me explain further.
Judges 4:6-7 says, 'Then she (Deborah) sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, 'Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand'?"'
Upon such clear instruction and great promise of victory from the Lord, one would have expected a "Yeah, let it be so! I will go in the name of the Lord my God!" kind of response from Barak, but Alas! look what he actually said to Deborah, "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go." What an irony, as this was the same Barak mentioned among the "champions of faith" in Hebrews chapter 11!
So how did he eventually make it to the 'hall of fame' among the 'faith heroes'?
The answer is Deborah! She was the key, the figure behind Barak's great exploits for the Lord those days. In other words, without a Deborah, Barak would not be Barak, and he would not have the faith and courage to overcome Sisera (and eventually Jabin king of Canaan)!
Judges 4:9 says, 'So she (Deborah) said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh'.
The rest, as the saying goes, is history. When the army of the children of Israel was put in position, and when the right time came, Deborah spoke these words to Barak, "Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?" (Judges 4:14) So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him, and true to His promise, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot (Judges 4:14-15). Sisera later died a tragic death (see Judges 4:17-22).
On that day, God subdued Jabin king of Canaan in the presence of the children of Israel, and the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan (Judges 4:23-24).
People of God, the Bible says that 'the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword' (Hebrews 4:12). Deborah to Barak here is a 'picture' of the importance of speaking and declaring 'the Word of God' into every area of your life today, especially so for those areas that have been overcome by much negativity, disappointment, or failure recently. I believe it's not too late yet. Just as in the days of Deborah and Barak, you too can put your 'house' in order again today. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Saturday, August 2, 2014
The Lord is your help
Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV): I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence (where) comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The word 'help' here is 'ezer' in Hebrew, from the word 'azar', which means 'to surround, to protect, to aid'. Indeed, He is the Lord who surrounds you, protects you, and aids you. In cross-reference, this word 'help' is also found in Psalm 46:1-3 that 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 (bursting, increasing in volume)'.
The word 'help' here is 'ezer' in Hebrew, from the word 'azar', which means 'to surround, to protect, to aid'. Indeed, He is the Lord who surrounds you, protects you, and aids you. In cross-reference, this word 'help' is also found in Psalm 46:1-3 that 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 (bursting, increasing in volume)'.
Recently, I heard and released these words to the congregation I was ministering to:
"This is not the time to look at your left or your right, or pattern after this or that. This is the time to look to Me for help. When no one else can help you, I am your very present help."
People of God, in a time like this, 'look to the Lord, not to the world' for help. Look above the strength or power of this earth, and look at the hills (of Jerusalem), from whence (where) comes your help.
I used to think the psalmist (of Psalm 121) was referring to any hill (or mount) on earth, but soon my eyes were opened to see that he was referring to the holy hills of Jerusalem. These (holy hills) symbolize 'where the presence of the Lord is', and 'where the ark of the covenant is', which speaks of Jesus Himself. Moriah, one of the holy hills of Jerusalem, was where Solomon built the first temple (see 2 Chronicles 3:1), and it was also here that Abraham went to 'sacrifice' his son Isaac as 'burnt offering' (see Genesis 22:2).
Note that there are seven hills (or mountains) that surround Jerusalem, namely Moriah, Bethsaida, Scopus, Olives, Opel, Zion, and Calvary. Psalm 125:1-2 says, 'Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, from this time forth and forever'.
Let's continue with Psalm 121 now. Psalm 121:5-8 then says, 'The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve (keep) you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve (keep) your going out and your coming in, from this time forth, and even forevermore.'
The word 'shade' here means 'shadow, defense, or hovering over' in Hebrew, and 'your right hand' speaks of 'whatever you put your hands on'. In the Hebrew context, 'the right hand' always means 'the working hand'. By the way, do you know how the English word 'umbrella' is derived from? This word 'umbrella' comes from the Latin word umbra, which also means 'shade, or shadow'. In other words, the Lord is like the 'umbrella' over all that you put your hands to do. Amen!
In the New Covenant, the Lord has also promised you 'help' - the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16-17, Jesus Himself said, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
This word 'Helper' (or 'Comforter' in King James Version) is 'parakletos' in Greek, which means 'advocate (i.e. 'one who is for you'), consoler, or intercessor'. In John 14:26, Jesus said further, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." In John 14:27, Jesus then continued, "(Therefore) 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." You see, John 14:27 is spoken in the context of John 14:26.
And then in Romans 8:26-28, the apostle Paul wrote, "Likewise the Spirit (Helper) also helps in our weaknesses (or infirmities). For we do not know what we should pray..., but the Spirit (Helper) Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints (you and I who are in Christ) according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Amen!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Prayer precedes glory
2 Chronicles 7:1 (NKJV): When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
The glory of the Lord was so 'thick' that the priests couldn't even enter the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 7:2), and when all the children of Israel saw how fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: "For He is good, for His mercy endures forever." (2 Chronicles 7:3)
And you know what? It all started when Solomon had finished praying! Such is the importance of praying in this end-time, and as the Body of Christ (the Bride) prepares for the glorious coming of the Bridegroom!
Prayer precedes glory! Prayer leads to glory! In other words, prayer is the key to the glory of the Lord that comes! According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'to precede' means 'to come or go before (something) in time, in order, in rank, etc'.
In cross-reference, and in New Testament, Acts 1:14 says, 'These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers'. Notice the word 'prayer' here? And only then did the glory (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit) come! Acts 2:1-2 says, 'When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting'. This glory in turn led to about three thousand souls being saved on that day (Acts 2:41), and it also marked the beginning of the church age (Acts 2:46-47).
By the way, the word 'prayer' here in Greek is 'proseuche', from the word 'pros' meaning 'to incline towards (that direction)', and 'euche' (pronounced 'yoo-khay') meaning 'to come near, to visit, to approach, to consent to, to hold the mind towards, to pay attention to, to attend to, to take heed unto'. In other words, 'to pray' is 'to incline ourselves towards (God) in order to take heed unto (Him)'.
Recently, I heard these words from the Lord:
"This is a time to pray! There's a call for such right now. Not that you don't pray at other times, but this is a key time to pray! Incline your ears and hear Me for the coming glory! A new wind is blowing, a wind of change, and there'll be new assignments for many of My people."
As I received these prophetic words from the Lord, the word 'proseuche' became all the more clearer, that this is a crucial time for God's people 'to incline themselves towards (Him), and to take heed unto (Him)'!
How do you pray then? In 1 Corinthians 14:13-15, the apostle Paul wrote that you can pray with the spirit (in tongues) and also pray with the understanding (in the language you know). Do both. Also, 'prayer' is talking with God and communing with Him (i.e. communicating and in union with Him). You talk to Him, and He talks to you. Two-way. Not one way. In other words, 'prayer' is to have friendship with God. It takes two to have a friendship. And it is based on mutual trust and affection. In Exodus 33:9, the Lord talked with Moses. And in Exodus 33:11, the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.
What then is a true friend?
- one whom you can trust, and therefore you take heed unto.
- one whom you know will never lead you into trouble.
- one whom you know will always wish the best for you.
- one who has deep, genuine love and affection for you.
- one who has personal attachment to you (one who feels for you).
In John 15:13-15, Jesus Himself said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
I used to have questions why Jesus said, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." It sounded a bit 'dictatorial' to me. But I understand now. God is not 'dictatorial', but just that He sees farther than you and me. He knows your future long before you know it, and He also knows the dangers that lie ahead! It therefore pays to take heed what He says! To take heed unto (Him) is also to act on what He says to do!
Abraham was an example of 'one who takes heed and acts on what God has spoken to do'. James 2:20-24 says, 'But do you want to know... that faith without works (i.e. acting on what God says to do) is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works (i.e. acting on what God says to do), faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God'.
People of God, like Moses and Abraham, as you abide (i.e. stay, dwell, continue, being present, remain) in Him (John 15:4-5), may you also be counted as His friend, whom He will share all things with you, even the things that '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' (1 Corinthians 2:9). Amen!
The glory of the Lord was so 'thick' that the priests couldn't even enter the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 7:2), and when all the children of Israel saw how fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: "For He is good, for His mercy endures forever." (2 Chronicles 7:3)
And you know what? It all started when Solomon had finished praying! Such is the importance of praying in this end-time, and as the Body of Christ (the Bride) prepares for the glorious coming of the Bridegroom!
Prayer precedes glory! Prayer leads to glory! In other words, prayer is the key to the glory of the Lord that comes! According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'to precede' means 'to come or go before (something) in time, in order, in rank, etc'.
In cross-reference, and in New Testament, Acts 1:14 says, 'These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers'. Notice the word 'prayer' here? And only then did the glory (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit) come! Acts 2:1-2 says, 'When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting'. This glory in turn led to about three thousand souls being saved on that day (Acts 2:41), and it also marked the beginning of the church age (Acts 2:46-47).
By the way, the word 'prayer' here in Greek is 'proseuche', from the word 'pros' meaning 'to incline towards (that direction)', and 'euche' (pronounced 'yoo-khay') meaning 'to come near, to visit, to approach, to consent to, to hold the mind towards, to pay attention to, to attend to, to take heed unto'. In other words, 'to pray' is 'to incline ourselves towards (God) in order to take heed unto (Him)'.
Recently, I heard these words from the Lord:
"This is a time to pray! There's a call for such right now. Not that you don't pray at other times, but this is a key time to pray! Incline your ears and hear Me for the coming glory! A new wind is blowing, a wind of change, and there'll be new assignments for many of My people."
As I received these prophetic words from the Lord, the word 'proseuche' became all the more clearer, that this is a crucial time for God's people 'to incline themselves towards (Him), and to take heed unto (Him)'!
How do you pray then? In 1 Corinthians 14:13-15, the apostle Paul wrote that you can pray with the spirit (in tongues) and also pray with the understanding (in the language you know). Do both. Also, 'prayer' is talking with God and communing with Him (i.e. communicating and in union with Him). You talk to Him, and He talks to you. Two-way. Not one way. In other words, 'prayer' is to have friendship with God. It takes two to have a friendship. And it is based on mutual trust and affection. In Exodus 33:9, the Lord talked with Moses. And in Exodus 33:11, the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.
What then is a true friend?
- one whom you can trust, and therefore you take heed unto.
- one whom you know will never lead you into trouble.
- one whom you know will always wish the best for you.
- one who has deep, genuine love and affection for you.
- one who has personal attachment to you (one who feels for you).
In John 15:13-15, Jesus Himself said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
I used to have questions why Jesus said, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." It sounded a bit 'dictatorial' to me. But I understand now. God is not 'dictatorial', but just that He sees farther than you and me. He knows your future long before you know it, and He also knows the dangers that lie ahead! It therefore pays to take heed what He says! To take heed unto (Him) is also to act on what He says to do!
Abraham was an example of 'one who takes heed and acts on what God has spoken to do'. James 2:20-24 says, 'But do you want to know... that faith without works (i.e. acting on what God says to do) is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works (i.e. acting on what God says to do), faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God'.
People of God, like Moses and Abraham, as you abide (i.e. stay, dwell, continue, being present, remain) in Him (John 15:4-5), may you also be counted as His friend, whom He will share all things with you, even the things that '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' (1 Corinthians 2:9). Amen!
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