Preferred Government — Nebuchanezar was in office for an unlimited term. Nebuchanezar is the one who took the choicest of Israel’s future and enslaved them for the purpose of culturizing them to the values of Babylon. In spite of that fact the Hebrews Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego triumphed and impacted the culture of Babylon with the precepts of Jehovah. (Let us not forget that much prayer was the habit of Daniel.) Saul was in office for an unlimited term. Saul is the one who attempted to murder the future of Israel’s government. In spite of that fact David triumphed. Saul was actually used as a catalyst to join the tribes of the nation to David and see that he was seated on the throne. (Remember: David is an Old Testament type of the New Testament Christ) After being under Saul’s government, Israel much preferred the government of David (NT Christ) over the government of Saul (Heb.: “desired”). He who was so desired became so undesired. (Let us not forget that much worship was the habit of David.)
Kathy — Warfare and Tipping Points — In the old western movies, when the town was too conditioned to the reign of an old foe, the lone sheriff (governmental agent) had to fight him alone. The governmental agent, (the God-appointee to the situation), moved forward and equipped them through example, inspiration and direction. Then “the few” stepped up to unify and finally brought the tipping point. The eventual key to victory was when enough of the townspeople and landowners decided to defy evil and stood together. However, realistically, the tipping point can take a long time to develop because victims are so conditioned to corruption or fear of bucking it. During the time it takes to unify a corporate tipping point, unfortunately, the government agent more often than not becomes the target of rulers of darkness who hold tenure. While being targeted by the enemy, there will be attacks on relationships, circumstances and health to the point that it can seem like the real challenge is keeping the governmental agents ALIVE for the mandate! Rom.12:11-12, The Message — “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.”
As the people of God assemble today, may they realize that they have been elected to an unlimited term of office. May they rejoice in God their Savior Who has elected them to be defended and to provide justice in their behalf. “And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf?” (Lk.18:7, Amp)
In spite of some past inferences we might have heard concerning prayer, God is not a celestial bellboy waiting in an anteroom for us to ring a bell to do what we require. Rather, in prayer, we partner with God for His purposes in our lives and in this earth. Jesus went apart from the crowd to pray so that He might find how to partner with His Father so He could glorify Him. Jn.12:27, (The Passion Translation) — “Even though I am torn within, and my soul is in turmoil, I will not ask the Father to rescue me from this hour of trial. For I have come to fulfill my purpose—to offer myself to God.”
Kathy—When we are in a hard place the first decision we have to make is to trust God or harden our hearts & handle things our own way. The only recourse you have if you don’t trust God is to take control of the situation. Control is about ME, my feelings, my rights, and my desires. To trust God we must embrace the truth about His character and His ways consistently until belief is consistent in us. Prov.3:5-6, KJV — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Martin Luther said that prayer is not overcoming the reluctance of God but it is laying hold of the willingness of God. Why didn’t he say “finding the willingness of God”? There is a lot more in laying hold than in finding. You may find gold, but you have not laid hold of it until you have dug. Let us dig in and find His willingness. Js.5:17, TPT — “Elijah was a man with human frailties, just like all of us, but he prayed and received supernatural answers. He actually shut the heavens over the land so there would be no rain for three and a half years!”
Kathy — Why is our trust in God sometimes in pieces? I think it is because of all the times it’s been shaken. I’m talking about every time that we followed our emotions through a trial and we “trusted” God to come through like we felt He should…. but He didn’t. Our trust was shaken if not shattered, not because He’s not trustworthy, but because He did not allow us to manipulate the situation or Him. Ps.18:2, TPT — “You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet, like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress, my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape, my tower of rescue where none can reach me. My secret strength and shield around me, you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside, always the champion of my cause.”
Start your own spiritual history. Lack or infirmity may be just about all the generational history you have. You be the one to break the cycle. You be the one who refuses to embrace that old history. Matt.16:19-”whatever you bind on earth.” It has already been done in the heavenlies. Start walking and talking it on the earth. Eph.1:19-20, TPT — “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power 20 that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!”
Kathy — When you are mistreated or attacked or accused or scared or you step in the neighbor’s dog droppings in your own yard you might not deliberately think, “Back off God, I’ll handle this.” In fact, you’re not likely to think of dog droppings and God in the same thought! The point is that there’s no time to hear God when emotions erupt. That tells us that emotions are one of the big reasons that we harden our hearts. 2Pe1:6, Amp — “For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness.”
As the people of God assemble today and they sing out praises and worship and they hear the powerful Word of God taught, may they realize it is time to take yet another step. May each one take a step more in the direction the Lord has them headed in within their bent, their calling, their purpose. This is the season for stepping up to the next level of purpose and function in the Kingdom of God. Prov.3:5-6, Amp — “Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”
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