For those who weren’t able to make it to prayer last night, we prayed through 2 Chronicles 20 in the following way:
1. Standing before God in prayer with the boldness of those who stand in Christ’s righteousness (And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court)
2. Exalting the greatness of God (“O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”)
3. Crying out to God about the adversities we’re facing (‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’)
4. Invoking God’s help in humble dependence (O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.)
As we pray and look to gather this evening, let’s be expectant and open to hearing and receiving from God whatever He wishes to impart.
And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel … in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you…
This morning, I had a video call with Ben in Adelaide, and God had put a Bible verse for us on his heart, Isaiah 54:17, which reads:
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.
He made a brief video to share his heart for us:
As I have been meditating on his word, I feel as though there are other parts of Isaiah 54 that God wants to speak to our community, in reverse order:
Verse 15
If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.
Verses 9-10
“This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Verse 5
For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.
Verse 2-3
“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.
In summary:
· I believe God wants to say to us that though it may feel like we are facing many adversaries, no weapon forged against us will prevail.
· I believe God wants to explain to us that He is not beyond the afflictions we are facing. God isn’t mad at us or disappointed with us. He isn’t punishing us for disobedience. It is the Enemy who is trying to oppose us and God.
· I believe God wants to reaffirm with us that His covenant of peace shall not be removed…
· … because Jesus is our husband. He is covenanted to us, this God who is our Maker, the Lord of hosts, the Holy One, the Redeemer, the God of the whole earth.
· So, we can continue to take possession of the nations.
This is not the first time that God has spoken to our church through Isaiah 54:2-3. In the past, it felt like God was highlighting words like enlarging, stretching, lengthening, and spreading. This year, I really feel the Holy Spirit highlighting the phrase: strengthen your stakes.
It seems God is encouraging us to dig in, stand firm, and be ready for the long haul. Storms can come and go, and it is important, even in the process of expansion, to be firmly grounded.