Declare that the crooked places be made straight!

Isaiah 40:3-5 (NKJV): The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

The word 'straight' in "Make straight in the desert a highway for our God" here is 'yashar' in Hebrew, which means 'make right, clear, pleasant, prosperous', and the expression "the crooked places shall be made straight" here speaks of 'concording (i.e. in agreement, in harmony), aligning (with God's ways)'.

The other day, I heard these words from the Lord:
"Align yourselves to Me, for I will make your crooked places straight. Do not allow the enemy to take root and have a foothold in your life. I will teach you how."

Then, I heard further:
"Stay strong this time and season, and continue to receive strength and sustenance from Me. I am your strength and your sustenance. The power of darkness cannot and will not have any foothold in your life and in your body."

By the way, the word 'foothold' is defined as 'a place affording a secure grip for the foot, a firm position that provides a base for further advancement'.

Let's go back to Isaiah 40 now. This is a very significant chapter in the book of Isaiah because it speaks of the beginning of a new season, new cycle, new hope, new testament, or new covenant.

Notice that the book of Isaiah ('Yesha Yah', meaning 'Yah has saved') is like a miniature Bible, with the first 39 chapters representing the number of books in the Old Testament, and the next 27 chapters representing the number of books in the New Testament. The number '40' (as in Isaiah 40) in Hebrew numeric means 'maturity, total rule'. For example, after 40 years of wilderness experience, Moses finally reached a time and season of 'maturity' (i.e. God saw him ready to deliver the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt). It was also the beginning of 'total rule' of God's authority (and power) working through Moses to deliver God's people from the stranglehold of Pharaoh.

The other two verses in the book of Isaiah that mentions 'the crooked places be made straight' are found in Isaiah 42:16 and Isaiah 45:2.

In Isaiah 42:16, the Lord says, "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them."

And then, in Isaiah 45:2, the Lord says, "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron."
Note: 'Bronze' here speaks of 'man's way, sinful way, fleshly way, worldly way', whereas 'iron' speaks of 'blockages/strongholds put by the enemy to hinder your progress'.

So, here you are! Three verses with the same expression 'crooked places be made straight' in the book of Isaiah! Interestingly, the word 'crooked' in each of these three verses are of three different Hebrew words with very specific meanings. Let's look at each of these words now:

In Isaiah 40:4, the word is 'aqob', meaning 'crooked (as in deceitful, fraudulent, polluted)'.
In Isaiah 42:16, the word is 'maaqash', meaning 'crooked (as in a path or a road)'.
In Isaiah 45:2, the word is 'hadar', meaning 'crooked (as in to swell up, to be proud, i.e. the pride of men)'.

How about the word 'places', say in Isaiah 40:4 or Isaiah 45:2?
It is the Hebrew word 'maqowm', which is a very general word that covers many aspects, namely 'a standing, a spot, a condition (of body and mind), a room, a home, a space, a locality, or even a country'.

People of God, as you enter a new season/cycle this month, begin by declaring 'the crooked places be made straight' for you! (e.g. a new venture, a new business, a new job, a new ministry, or even a new location). This is also the time to receive the anointing from on high to clear the way for you, as you move into the new things in your life! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Scripture reading: Judges chapter 9 - read how Jotham's words and declaration eventually made straight a crooked (wicked) situation.

A time to ask of God's wisdom!

James 1:5-6 (NKJV): If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of sea driven and tossed by the wind.

The word ‘wisdom’ here is ‘sophia’ in Greek, from the word ‘sophos’ which means ‘to be wise, to be clear, to have clear understanding of something (on what to do, or how to go about doing it)’. In short, 'wisdom' simply means 'knowing what to do, and how to go about (on something)'. 

To 'ask in faith' is to 'ask with a believing heart that you'll receive'. 

These are the words I heard from the Lord for this time and season:

"Ask! This is the time to ask! Don’t be afraid to ask! Don’t be shy to ask! Ask of My wisdom, and I will give to you."

Then, I heard further:

"Many of My people are entering a new season, a new cycle in their lives this month. Like a new bicycle is being given, and the old bicycle is being put away. There will be fresh new wisdom. There will be fresh new grace. And I will teach My people if they would ask!"

Isn't that what Solomon (the wisest man on earth) did when he first became king? (i.e. as he entered a new season, or a new cycle in his life) 

Notice ‘wisdom’ was the first thing Solomon asked! 

2 Chronicles 1:7-10 (NKJV) says, 'On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give to you?" And Solomon said to God, "You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?"'

And see how God responded to Solomon. 

In 2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (NKJV), He said, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life – but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king – wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."

Today, just as in Solomon's days, He is more than willing to grant you wisdom too, if you look to Him and ask of Him. 

And why is wisdom so important?

Proverbs 3:13-18 (NKJV) says, 'Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her'.

You see, if you have wisdom (from above), you will have all these too - happiness, length of days, riches and honor, pleasantness, peace, tree of life! The Word of God says so! 

No wonder Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV) later says, 'Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding'. The word 'principal' here is 'reshiyth' in Hebrew, which means 'the first (in place, time, order, or rank), the chief, the beginning, the firstfruit', from the word 'rosh' meaning 'the head, the forefront, the captain'.

The keys to having His wisdom as you walk in this new season is to fear the Lord (i.e. having deep reverence for Him and His Word), and a heart that remains humble and teachable (i.e. willing to be corrected) before Him (read Proverbs 9:5-12).

As a believer in the New Covenant, know also that Jesus has become for you wisdom from God (see 1 Corinthians 1:30), and He is the wisdom of God (see 1 Corinthians 1:24) - the principal thing (the first, the chief, the beginning, the firstfruit) - in your life. Allow Him to do His work in you and through you this new season. Amen.

Declare that you are set free from the power of barrenness!

Isaiah 54:1 (NKJV): Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child!

The word 'barren' here is 'aqar' in Hebrew, which means 'to be sterile (i.e. not able to produce seeds, crops, or offspring; producing no useful fruits/results)', and the word 'cry aloud' here is 'tsahal' in Hebrew, which means 'to lift up your voice and rejoice'.

The other day, I heard these words from the Lord as I was praying:

“Do not allow yourself to sorrow. Do not allow anyone or the enemy to cause you to stay in sorrow. There is power to set you free this month! There is power even to set you free from the power of barrenness in your life! This is the time to receive the joy that comes from Me, and be strong!”

No wonder Nehemiah 8:10 says, ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength’! Keep receiving the joy from on high this month, so you will be strong! I cannot emphasize any further how important it is 'to be strong' in this time and season of the Lord. He has spoken "Be strong! Be strong! Be very strong!" on at least three occasions recently. Matter-of-factly, if you lose the joy (of the Lord), you'll also lose the strength (to carry on, or to look ahead)!

Tap into the power from on high to break the power of barrenness this month! Declare that the power of barrenness in your life has been broken! Declare that you are set free from the power of barrenness! What are the areas that you have been ‘barren’? It doesn’t have to mean ‘barrenness’ in a person’s womb (i.e. not able to conceive and give birth to children). It can cover every area of your life. 

In Isaiah 66:9, the Lord says, "Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery? (And) shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?" 

And this chapter (Isaiah 66) begins with these words from the Lord, "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool,... Where is the place of My rest? But on this one will I look: On him who is poor (humble) and of a contrite (broken) heart, and who trembles at My word."

See the statement "...who trembles at My word" here? It means 'the one who has deep respect (and reverence) for God's Word'. It also means 'the one who fears the Lord, who takes God at His Word, and declares what He declares'.

In Psalm 109:17-18, David wrote, 'As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; as he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothe himself with cursing as with his garment, so let it enter his body like water, and like oil into his bones'. 

Do you know that whatever you speak will eventually seep into your own body and bones? The above verses say so! In cross-reference, Proverbs 18:21 says, 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit'.

In the same psalm, David wrote further, "Help me, O Lord, my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy. That they may know that this is Your hand - that You, Lord, have done it! Let them curse, but You bless..." (see Psalm 109:26-28)

The word ‘bless’ here is ‘barak’ in Hebrew, which simply means 'to speak well of, to benefit', whereas the word ‘curse’ here is ‘qalal’ in Hebrew, which means 'to despise (bring into contempt) with words'. One example in the Bible is Michal (daughter of Saul, wife of David) who despised David as he was dancing, leaping and whirling before the Lord in worship (when the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem). It all began from the heart (2 Samuel 6:16), and out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth then spoke (2 Samuel 6:20). As a consequence, she became barren, i.e. had no children till the day of her death (2 Samuel 6:23).

See the importance of 'blessing, and not cursing' here?

As a believer in the New Covenant, know that Your Father in heaven never curse you. In fact, He sent Jesus to become a curse for you, so that you are now blessed (with the blessings of Abraham)! (see Galatians 3:13-14). And if He doesn't curse you, why should you, or rather, who are you to curse (yourself, or anyone else whom God loves)?

People of God, whatever your 'barrenness' may be at the moment, let God heal you, and let God heal your situation. The one key to your healing in this time and season is in your spoken words (i.e. what you say/speak). Declare what God declares in the Word, and guard what you speak (see James 3:2-10, Psalm 39:1). If you are the type of person who often regrets after speaking out on something (i.e. tend to be careless in your speech, or in what you say), ask the Lord to help you. There’s enough grace for you.

And if you have spoken words that you should not have spoken recently (i.e. words that hurt), and you are feeling bad about it (regretting it, or even suffering the consequences of it), receive now God’s grace to forgive and to heal. Know that He is able to heal your situation (or even the damages caused) because of what you have spoken (to others, to yourself, or into the spiritual realm).

With men it may be impossible, but with God, all things are possible. He is your miracle-working God! Just don’t try to undo the situation (or the damages) with your own self-effort, strength, or flesh. Sometimes the more you try, the worse things, or the situation becomes. But count on His ability, grace, and wisdom instead. He will definitely work all things together for good (for you), according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Be rest assured. Believe and receive. In Jesus' name. Amen.