Words from the Lord: New doors are being opened for you!

The Lord says: 

"Many of My people are going to walk through open doors in the coming months. Never mind about the doors that have been closed in the recent months. Do not look back and rue over those doors that have been closed. Look to Me. Look forward. Look to the new. For I am beginning to cut rivers in the desert for you. I am beginning to open the doors for you that no man can shut." 

In Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV), the Lord says, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." 

The expression 'Now it shall spring forth' which I've underlined here is interesting. You see, it is not in the future. It is now! See the word 'now' here? Now it shall spring forth! 

What is 'spring forth' here? In Hebrew, it is 'tsamach'. It can mean 'to grow again (after being left dormant or seemingly dead)'. It can mean 'to bring forth new sprout or bud'. It can also mean 'to bring forth new life and new hope'. 

The Lord is turning a new page in your life. It is a brand new chapter. It is a fresh new start. Prepare yourself for such a time. 

This word 'tsamach' can also be found in Isaiah 44. In Isaiah 44:3-4 (NKJV), the Lord says, "For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground. I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring. They will spring up among the grass, like willows by the watercourses." 

The words 'spring up' here is 'tsamach' in Hebrew.

Let's look at New Living Translation (NLT) for the same verses: "For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank." 

See the word 'thrive' here? For the new year ahead, I want to declare that you will thrive, no matter what happens in the world. You will not just be surviving, but you'll be thriving! 

What is the significance of 'willows' or 'willow trees' in the Scripture? What does it speak of? There can be different ways of seeing it. But if you look at it positively, and in the context of our Bible-study today, 'willow' can symbolize 'vitality'. 

Where is the proof? Where is the cross-reference? Ezekiel 17:5-6 (NLT) says, 'He also took a seedling from the land and planted it in fertile soil. He placed it beside a broad river, where it could grow like a willow tree. It took root there and grew... Its branches turned up toward the eagle, and its roots grew down into the ground. It produced strong branches and put out shoots.'

Here, the prophet Ezekiel said the eagle planted a seed and it grew into a strong tree, producing strong branches and putting out new shoots. By the way, 'eagle' in the Scripture usually symbolizes 'a conqueror'. Indeed, the Scripture says you are more than a conqueror through God who loves you! (Romans 8:37)

Let's go back to Isaiah now. In Isaiah 43:13 (NKJV), the Lord says, "Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?" 

It means if the Lord is with you, and His hand is with you, no one can push it back and no one can stop it. And when He works in your life, no one can reverse it! 

In cross-reference, let's look at Revelation 3:8, which is God's message for the church in Philadelphia. "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed My word and did not deny Me." 

Beloved, this is also God's message for you at this point of your life. He has seen what you've gone through, and He knows exactly what you've gone through. Even though at times you feel so helpless and you have too little strength to carry on, the Lord sees right into your heart. He sees all the things, the good things, that you have done in secret, that nobody recognizes. But the Lord recognizes all this. And the Lord says He will know how to reward you openly, especially in the year ahead. 

Because He sees that you have not denied Him. You may have a lot of questions. But you did not deny Him. He sees that you have not given up looking to Him. When some others fall away or give up, you hung on. You continued to abide in the Lord. And therefore, beloved, He will begin to open the doors for you that no one can shut. He will open the doors for new things in your life! And it will be good!

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Peace inside you that cannot be shaken

The Lord says for this time: 

"No matter how turbulent the world around you may be, or what bad news you hear around you, let not your heart be troubled or afraid. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. This peace inside you cannot be shaken. This peace inside you is My perfect peace. This peace inside you will overcome the chaos or storms outside you. This peace inside you is the peace that surpasses all understanding." 

You may ask: "What is 'the peace that surpasses all understanding'? What does this mean?" 

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) says, 'And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' 

There are many things in life that we don't know or understand. But one thing for sure is we know we can put our trust in the Lord, no matter what happens around us. Just by knowing that He is with us and in us, gives us such peace and assurance. Just like a child to a good father. The child feels secure just by knowing that the father is around. The same it is with us and our Heavenly Father. When the world look at us, it just boggles their mind how we can have this kind of peace and assurance inside of us. And that's why this peace surpasses all human understanding and minds. 

Let's look at the Amplified Version now. 'And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].' 

This peace reassures your heart. This peace transcends all human understanding. This peace stands guard over your hearts and your minds. 

You see, at one time or another, we hear of bad news, disturbing news, or disheartening news; whether from friends, in the social media, or from the news channels. Or sometimes we face turbulence, storms, or chaotic situations in life. This can happen in the course of your work, in your career, in your business, in the ministry, or in other areas of life.

No matter what happens or what you hear, remember this, that the Lord loves you, and His peace He leaves with you and His peace He gives to you. 

Jesus says in John 14:27, "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." 

I like the Amplified Version here. "Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]" 

See the words 'perfect peace' here? What is this 'perfect peace'? 

Let's cross-reference to the book of Isaiah now. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) says, 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.' 

So, trust in Him. Trust in Him for who He is. He is everlasting. He is our Rock and Salvation. He is the Lord who gives us perfect peace and assurance. And in Him, we have security, no matter what happens in the world around us.

The word 'perfect' here is 'shalem' in Hebrew. It can mean 'full, whole, complete'. This word 'shalem' comes from the word 'shalam', which means 'to be safe, to be complete'. 

How about the word 'peace' here? It is 'shalom' in Hebrew. Notice this word has a broad meaning. It can mean 'safety, wellness, wholeness, welfare, health, prosperity, favor'. By the way, this word 'shalom' also comes from the same word 'shalam', meaning 'to be safe, to be complete'. 

Therefore, 'perfect peace' in Hebrew is 'shalem shalom'. Both words come from the same word 'shalam'. Double shalam! So, as you put your trust in the Lord and let your mind stayed on the Lord, He will keep you in 'shalem shalom'. And you know what this means? Perfect peace inside of you and outside of you! Spiritually and physically!

Where's the proof? 

Look here at Mark 4:35-39. You know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is peace of God manifested or demonstrated on this earth. And this peace inside of Him could even calm the storms outside of Him!  

'On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 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 the 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.' 

You see here? Peace in the inside of Him emanated out to the outside, and it even calmed the physical storm and the physical waves! 

Beloved of God, this same peace of God in Jesus is now inside of you. So, be afraid not and be anxious not, no matter what you see or what you hear outside of you. The Lord is still in control, and the Lord is sovereign. Let Him take over. Let this peace of the Lord rule and reign in your heart and in your mind.

Maybe you have been facing some 'storms' recently. Maybe it's at your workplace. Maybe it's in the ministry. Whatever 'storm' you may be facing at the moment, let the Lord take over, and let the Lord fill you with His 'shalem shalom'. He will know how to turn things around for you. He will know how to make a way where there seems to be no way. 

Not just that. You also have this peace and assurance inside of you that He deeply loves you. You are His beloved. In other words, you are deeply loved by the Lord. And you know what? This perfect love of God inside of you casts out fear. That's in 1 John 4:18. 

We shall go to Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) 2:1. The king says: I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song of Songs 2:4. The Shulamite woman says: He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 

Now, 'banqueting house' here means 'banquet hall', the place where you dine. And 'banner over me' here means 'surrounding me, and in this context, with His love'. 

Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, another name for this book, is a beautiful book of love between a man and a woman, written by King Solomon himself. It is a 'picture' of God's love for you, His beloved. Jesus is the Lover of your soul. Jesus is the Lover of who you are. 

There's a reason why this book Song of Songs is included in the Scripture. 

There are three main entities in this book:

1. The King (speaks of God Himself). 

2. The bride, which is the Shulamite woman (speaks of you, His beloved). 

3. The chorus, which are the daughters of Jerusalem (speaks of 'the whole citizen of heaven'). 

So, that's a quick background to this book Song of Songs. 

But today, I want to point you to these expressions 'Rose of Sharon' and 'Lily of the valleys'. 

In our context here, the Lord says He is the Rose of Sharon and He is the Lily of the valleys. What do all these mean? This is what we are going to study today. 

Let's begin with Rose of Sharon. 

'Rose' speaks of 'sweetness, sweet-smelling, fragrance'. 

'Sharon' is condensed from this Hebrew word 'yashar'. See the part 'shar' here? Now, 'yashar' here means 'to make straight, to make a way, to make right, to make pleasant, to make prosperous'. 

So, Rose of Sharon speaks of Jesus is the Sweetness that makes straight your way, that makes right your way, that makes pleasant your way, that makes prosperous your way! And that's who the Lord is to you! 

Geographically speaking, the place Sharon is a land bountiful and beautiful; and the inhabitants of this land those days (the Sharonites) were worshippers of the Lord who 'make straight the way'. 

Let's look at Lily of the valleys now.

'Lily' here is 'shuwshan' in Hebrew. Like the flower, it means 'to be bright, to be cheerful, to be joyful'. This speaks of the brightness of the Lord's shining. This speaks of the joy of the Lord. And you know that the joy of the Lord is your strength. In other words, when you have the joy of the Lord in you, you have the strength to look ahead in your life, to move on in your life, and to move forward in your life. 

How about the word 'valleys' here? Notice the word 'valleys' here is plural. It means more than one valley. This speaks of 'depression, deep trouble'. Different kinds of troubles in this world. 

So, if you combine 'lily' and 'valleys', 'Lily of the valleys', this speaks of Jesus is the Lord who brings joy in a time of sorrow, and He who turns your sorrow into joy. Not just that. He sets you free from your depression. He rescues you from whatever deep trouble that you have. He pulls you out from your pit. He sets you free from your bondage. He makes a way of escape for you. He makes a way where there seems to be no way. He is your Lily of the valleys! 

With this assurance of the Lord in the Scripture, there's nothing that you should be afraid of, knowing that this peace and this love of the Lord lives in you. This peace calms the storm, and this love casts out every fear!

Let us pray: 

"O Lord God, we thank You for Your words of assurance to us in a time like this. We receive Your perfect peace that calms every 'storm'. We receive Your perfect love that casts out every fear. Your Scripture says Your peace You leave with us, and Your peace You give to us. The peace that we cannot find anywhere else in the world. Your Scripture also says Your love casts out fear, and Your love for us fails not. We receive all these with gladness and thanksgiving in our hearts. Indeed, You are the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys in our lives. You yearn to fellowship with us and Your banner over us is love. We want to come into Your presence right now. In Your presence, we are filled with Your love and Your perfect peace. In Your presence, we are surrounded by Your love and Your perfect peace. In Jesus' name. Amen." 

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Your future is secured!

The Lord says: 

"As a beloved of Mine, know that your future is secured! Not just eternal future, but your future here on earth! Be assured that even to your old age, I am He, and I will lead you, carry you, and sustain you. Keep receiving My wisdom. Keep receiving My power. Flow with My Spirit." 

It's a simple and pastoral message today, but the Lord says someone needs to hear this. So I just want to be faithful to release this message today. 

Isaiah 46:4 (NIV) says, 'Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.'

Isaiah 46:4 (Amplified Bible) says, 'Even to your old age I am He, and even to your advanced old age I will carry you! I have made you, and I will carry you; Be assured I will carry you and I will save you.'

Notice the word 'carry' here. The Lord says here: "I will carry you! I will carry you! I will carry you!" The word 'carry' here is interesting. It is 'sabal' in Hebrew. It can mean 'to carry all your burdens, to be strong for you, to work things out for you'. You see here? To work things out for you!

So beloved, whatever situation you may be going through at the moment, let go of all your burdens or worries to the Lord. He will know how to carry you. He will know how to carry all your cares and burdens. He will be strong for you. And He will know how to work things out for you. 

In cross-reference, Romans 8:28 (NKJV) says, '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.' 

Let's look at the Amplified Bible for this verse. 'And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.' 

See? He causes all things to work together for good in your life. He knows His plan and purpose for your life. And as long as you continue to look to Him and put your trust in Him, He will know how to carry you and sustain you all the way. Why? Because He loves you and He deeply cares for you. Therefore, knowing this, you can be assured that your future is secured, as the Lord has spoken today.

Look now at Joseph's life in the Book of Genesis. Joseph's brothers meant evil for him, but God meant it for good. 

Let me ask you some questions. Can you say Joseph being thrown into the pit by his brothers as a good thing? Can you say Joseph being sold as a slave in Egypt as a good thing? Can you say Joseph being thrown into the prison in Egypt as a good thing? 

I think no one in their right mind would say that's a good thing. In fact, these are terrible things in our minds. But you know what? God allowed all this to happen. Why? Because God sees further, and it was meant for his good eventually, and in order to save his whole family during the famine. 

So beloved, if you are going through a situation that you don't like to happen in your life, in a time like this, the Lord wants to assure you. Do not allow yourself to doubt. Keep trusting the Lord that all things will eventually work out for good. Today, the Lord wants to assure you that no matter what you are going through, He loves you, He is here with you, and He is walking through all this with you. 

And remember this. He will know how to turn things around and work things together for good for you. He sees your future better than anyone else on earth. It's just like a painter. He may be painting a beautiful portrait. Initially, you cannot figure out what he is drawing. But in the end, at the completion of the painting, is a beautiful picture. It's a masterpiece. The same it is with God being the painter or artist in your life. 

Let's look at Genesis 45 now. During a time of severe famine those days, Joseph's brothers had no choice but to come to Egypt to look for food supplies. They didn't know that Joseph was there. In fact, at that time, Joseph had become a powerful man in Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh. To cut the story short, Joseph then revealed himself to them. Joseph said, "I am Joseph; does my father still live?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were utterly shocked and afraid. Joseph then said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." 

In Genesis 45:6-8, Joseph said further, "For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth (it means a future secured!) and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God..." Here, Joseph acknowledged that it was not the brothers who sent him there, but it was God who sent him there.

In Genesis 45:9-11, Joseph then said to his brothers to tell their father (Jacob), "God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine."

'Goshen' here represents 'a safe land of plenty'. Physically, it's a safe area in Egypt those days that was allocated for the Israelites to stay and dwell. 

As you can see here, what happened to Joseph is a clear representation of what's written in Romans 8:28, that 'All things will work together for good to those who love God'.

So beloved, no matter what situation you are going through at the moment, or what issue you are having now, be rest assured that God will know how to carry you and help you. God will know how to work things together for good for you. 

Interestingly, the name 'Joseph' or 'Yosef' in Hebrew can mean any of these: God will add. God will increase. God will do it again. 

So, if you have been going through a time like Joseph, God wants to assure you that He will see to it that He will add to you many more good in your life, despite what is happening in your life, or despite what you have been going through recently. He will know how to increase many more good in your life. He has done it before. And He will do it again. 

So beloved, take heart, if you are in a situation in your life that you don't like. It may be a retrenchment. It may be a failure in something. It may be a certain mistake that you have made. It may be anything that seems unpleasant to you. Different people, different situation. But whatever it is, the Lord loves you. He sees it all, and He understands exactly what you are going through. 

Hang on there! Hang on strong, my friend! Hang on strong to the Lord! The Lord who sees all these will know how to work things out for good for you. Yes, even in ways you cannot imagine yet. Like what happened to Joseph. 

To summarize our message today, had Joseph not been sold by his brothers to Egypt, and then thrown into the prison in Egypt, he would not have the opportunity to interpret a dream for Pharaoh's chief butler. And when Pharaoh needed someone to interpret his dreams, and no one in Egypt could do it, that time and chance came for Joseph. Joseph interpreted the dreams successfully, and the Pharaoh was pleased. The rest, you know it, is history. 

I want to declare upon you, my friend, that God will know how to add good things to you, God will know how to increase good things to you, and God will know how to turn things around for good for you. Amen! 

Prayer:

"O Lord God, we thank You for the assurance that no matter what we are going through at the moment, You will know how to take over and work things out together for our good. You have spoken that as Your beloved, our future is firmly secured, no matter what happens around us in the world. You have done it before for Joseph those days. You will do it again in our lives. We want to keep looking to You and putting our trust in You. We keep receiving Your wisdom. We keep receiving Your strength. We keep walking with You and be led by Your Spirit. We receive Your anointing for a breakthrough. We receive Your love, joy, peace, and strength. Put your oil of joy on us. And we'll be sure that You will continue to add many more good in our lives. In the name of Jesus. Amen." 

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