Dear friends,
I'd like to distribute these 5 series of King David, a warrior of God that fought to get the stolen ark of the covenant back into the midst of God's people. We're told the ark of the Lord represented God's presence and was covered with purest gold. Thru this bible study God is showing His church that the fullness of His presence, stolen by the enemy, is making its way back to the temples as we maintain victory in battle. Today friends, we are to be sacred containers, temples of the Holy Spirit, vessels of honor and glory. The ark was built at the command of God, just as man was created at the command of God. One of the ark's primary functions was for God to communicate with Moses, "from between the two cherubim on the ark's cover" (Exodus 25:22). Still today, God communicates with His sons and daughters using angels "marching in the tops of the mulberry trees," announcing the rustling of the armies of God who go before us into each battle.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Keep marching beloved !
Part One : You Can't Come in Here
The Old Testament is a magnificent map for training and equipping us for battle; a.k.a. "spiritual warfare." The Word clearly states that in the Kingdom of God there are times of peace, and times of war. Let's study King David in II Samuel 5 to see what nuggets of wisdom we can glean from our warrior/brother. May we gain much knowledge from his battles to apply to our own.
David was personally familiar with the "in your face," intense assaults from the enemy as he marched upon Jerusalem to oust the Jebusites who were living there. This battle is hugely significant historically, and spiritually. Jerusalem was part of God's covenant with Abraham and His warrior David had been anointed to reclaim the land for His purposes. What a huge victory in the city of God!
Beginning with verse 6, the harassment from the enemy begins. "The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here" (II Samuel 5:6).
Planned Ignoring : The mocking didn't appear to inhibit our brother-warrior as he continued his quest. "Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David" (v 7). "David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward" (v 9).
The more we know our Holy Commander, the more we can ignore a mocking spirit, the accuser of the brethren. Remember, the sacred chest was the visible sign that God's presence and protection went before His people. So, as sacred containers, the more we become one with the Lord, the more confident we are, marching with his constant presence and protection. Always, we love the Lord and He loves us. But friends, we can truly become one with our Holy God as He sanctifies us, making us holy, as He is holy (I Peter l:16). One with God! Oh, if He is for us, who can be against us?
For years, I've heard the Holy Spirit tell me, "Just keep marching." "But, God, I . . . " "Just keep marching."
I believe this indicates that consistency in Kingdom advancement is more important than speed or ferocity. After all, eternity is timeless. Sometimes our journey with Jesus may seem like plodding. But, God orchestrates our steps. As long as we're in motion and not stagnating, we're taking ground. May we be able to declare, like Jesus our Shield declared,
"Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame" (Isaiah 50:7).
Part Two : Stronger With Each Battle
It's compelling to walk with the knowledge that no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:7). There is an amazing awe in realizing what the Redeemer does best - He redeems! Jesus reverses the battles the enemy means to use against us, and mobilizes them to make us prosper! Verse 10 of II Samuel 5 is profound; "And he [David] became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him."
Friends, it's crucial that we grasp this as reality. While engaged on an already-victorious battleground, our strength is multiplied because the Lord Almighty is with us. Jesus has already won every battle and paid the price in full. He came to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8). We must stand and personify the victory of Calvary. Now don't let the Evil One whisper "arrogance" to you here. The day we were saved by grace, arrogance was exchanged for faith. The devil didn't say "David [we] can become more and more powerful"; our Covenant God said it!
Marching upon the path of faith is similar to pumping spiritual iron. Each time we wield the sword, every time we put on the breastplate of righteousness, every time we act in faith, our spiritual muscles grow stronger in Christ Jesus. This is invaluable knowledge because, in accordance with the Scriptures we're studying here today, the enemy will come after us again, and again, and we must be ready. There is no time to get ready while the fiery darts are flying! It's crucial that we learn and grow stronger from each battle and intently discern the guidance of our Commander in Chief.
Part Three : Always inquire of the Lord before engaging in battle
Often, the battle is not with the devil but with our own carnal nature. Our flesh really longs to rise up and fix things, stating our opinion. Think about it. Does the Creator of the Universe really need our opinion to accomplish His Divine purposes? It's difficult to remain quiet while we're wrestling. However, we must remember; the greater the faith, the fewer the words. If there are some battles or power-struggles going on in your sphere of influence, keep in mind, it's best to always bow lower. After all, God became a baby to conquer the world. For it's "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord" (Zechariah 4:6).
Although our adversary is always the same, he manifests himself in different ways. Thus, there are various types of battles and many styles of warfare. At times, we have to "circle around," a "sneak attack," so to speak. Please allow me to add that as we circle around, locking arms with our brothers and sisters, let's be very careful not to lock out any of the new recruits God has sent us. Sometimes when churches, ministries, or families are recovering from one battle and entering the next, they will be so guarded or overprotective, they neglect to recognize that fresh troops have arrived - friend, not foe.
Dear ones, we see the whole world engaged in different types of wars, figuratively and literally, battling for life. Although it's difficult to watch, weep, and intercede, if we truly believe that our Redeemer, redeems, then let's rejoice - if not for all things, in all things. We don't rejoice for the battles but we exalt in the victories that are already won in Christ. Listen! It's in times of adversity that millions, great multitudes, will come to know Christ Jesus, as many as the sand which is on the seashore (Genesis 22:17-18). Exodus 1:12 proves this. "But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites."
Part Four : Listen For the Wind
"As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer" (II Samuel 5:22-25).
The fulfillment of God's purposes in our lives will depend upon our seeking His guidance through prayer, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. We must listen when the Lord gives us commands. There are times He says "go straight ahead," there are times He says "go around behind the enemy." When Lord says, "circle around," He's saying "protect your borders." We must take our stand and encircle the camp. There are forces that want to annihilate, there are enemies that will return, again and again to steal, kill, and destroy. If you give the enemy one thing, he won't stop with that. He'll take another, and then another. That's why sin must be defeated, because it begets sin and causes weak links among the ranks. Righteousness must become our defense. We must protect our borders, families, cities, churches, nations as we march! "The gates of hell shall not prevail against us" (Matthew 16:8).
Beloved, we're living in "move-quickly" days. When you hear the wind in the top of the mulberry trees, move quickly. Delayed obedience can be disobedience. Don't be afraid of man; don't be afraid of the consequences for your obedience to the King. He will go out before you.
Part Five : Move quickly and don't miss Him !
"But, Lord I just don't know if that's You." I'm unsure of the reference for that miracle; I haven't read a manual listing all of the signs and wonders of Heaven. Good news, I've found truth to replace doubt in John 21:28. "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."
Listen, move quickly. If we miss God, it's difficult to go back. The Lord shows us this in Luke 19:41, when he approaches Jerusalem and weeps over it. "If you even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes." Jesus weeps, he says, "Oh you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
Troops, some of you may have dreams that weren't realized so you shelved them. The Lord is saying, "Stir yourselves up now and listen for the rustling in the trees and be prepared to move quickly. I Am the I Am who allowed those Divine delays. I allowed times of testing, false starts and trial runs to build up your spiritual muscles and create a tenacious spirit within you. Can you feel the breeze as I am drawing back the arrow right next to your cheek? Get ready to take flight." When David did as the Lord commanded him, he knew that God had gone before him and he struck down the enemy all the way.
______________________________________________There's a time of peace and a time of war, a time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to speak, and a time to be silent. A time to wait, and a time to move quickly. Go before us, God and teach us to war and to be bearers of Your glory, yet never touch it.
"Listen For The Wind" by Rev. Paulette Reed (e-mail at info@dotmm.org or visit : www.dotmm.org)
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