THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 5, No. 6 – Sunday, 9th February, 2020
(Acts.7:17-21, 24-29, Is.28:6)
THE FIERCEST BATTLE IS ALWAYS AT THE GATE
The gate in every spiritual parlance is always the point of decision. It is the ground of authority; it is time of change in the direction of success or failure. The holy Word states: ‘and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate’(Isaiah 28:6).
This singular verse points in the direction of two functional dissimilarities. The first is that for him who will occupy the seat of judgment and record marks of success, a spirit of judgment is a sure panacea. The second reality is that those who must record victory at the entry point of success having turned on the heat of battle against every barrier, strength is a foremost criterion.
Strength in this context, it should be noted, is of diverse connotation from the conventional meaning of the word. It could mean wisdom. It could imply skill of some sort. It does not always mean energy for the performance of a task. It could rather signal fervent spiritual ability to pray through in order to attain certain success.
The question is why is strength required? And by the way, why is strength required at the gate? To start with, strength is required because when the time for a major breakthrough draws near, the greatest adversary will always show up. (See Acts.7:17-19).
For about 390 years of their sojourn in Egypt, a king Pharaoh which knew not Joseph did not arise. But as soon as the time of Israel’s deliverance drew near, a king Pharaoh who did not reckon with the greatness of Joseph who by his God-given skill saved the nation of Egypt then arose into kingship and into prominence.
Beloved, the truth is this: Romans chapter 15:4 states very emphatically that: ‘all things written aforetime are for our learning’. If the experience of the children of Israel in Egypt is for our learning, then we can be rest assured that it will happen to us at the gate of breakthroughs as it did happen to them.
Returning, then, to the question why is strength required at the gate? It is always at the gate of breakthroughs that the enemy assaults with his strongest weapon. It may be the weapon of sin as it was the case of the children of Israel. Their deliverer, the man Moses, committed the sin of murder at about their 390th year in captivity.
The implication was that their stay in affliction in Egyopt was extended by another 40 years as against 400 years promised by the Lord. (See Ex.12:40 and Gen.15:13). Oh! How so good it is for Christians to seek the Lord not for bread and butter but for his strength.
For the strength of the Lord will eventually make the bread and butter available in abundance. Christians spend much energy in prayer requesting for perishable things. Seeking the strength of the Lord and getting divine strength deposited in a christian’s spiritual system succeeds in making the Christian a commander of things to happen.
The strength of the Lord deposited in any Christian makes that Christian an authority. The manner in which a man of authority prays differs exponentially from the way lesser Christians pray. Is it not written that concerning the works of my hands, command ye me?’(Isaiah 45:11). Commanding authority against problems, mountains and negativities is the foremost attribute of the man of authority.
See and understand the secret behind Joseph who became the Prime Minister and at the same time the Finance Minister in a land which was not his nativity. Was Joseph’s secret not divine strength?
Was it not written concerning Joseph that his ‘arm was made strong by the mighty God of Jacob?’(Gen. 49:24). What distinguishes a prophet or an apostle from a pastor? Is it not sound spiritual authority borne out of spiritual strength?
Battlegrounds like spiritual gates are not meant for sleepers, indolents and weaklings. They are always for the strong who have been divinely empowered by the Lord. We christians cheat ourselves a lot because we often pursue after options, not priorities. The result of such aimless pursuit is that aimless results remains the eventual gain.
IN THE END, THE SPEED AND EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF ANY MACHINE DEPENDS ON THE SOUNDNESS OF ITS ENGINE AND THE ENGINE’S ACCOMPANYING PARTS. IN LIKE MANNER, MAN WILL ATTAIN HIS DESIRED HEIGHTS IF ONLY THE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH IN HIM IS AT LEAST SLIGHTYLY ABOVE THAT OF HIS CONTENDERS.
Question and Answer Section
Question: Why is it that king David never lost a single battle through out his lifetime?
Answer: Divine strength and constantly seeking the face of the Lord prior to any thing to be done.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
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ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
HYMN: Onward Christian Soldiers
PRAY NOW:
1. Holy Spirit, please take me to that spiritual rock and cause me to drink from the water of strength contained therein.
2. of divine strength fall upon me.
3. O God, strengthen my right hand in the place of all spiritual battles.
4. Today, I hijack my divine breakthroughs, deliverances and healings by divine force and divine power.
5. What part of my life, health, business, destiny, marriage, career or ministry is failing, receive the life of Jesus into you now.
6. I receive divine dominion over sin and all the works of the flesh.
7. Christ Jesus called out Lazarus from death back to life. I am little Christ, therefore, I call forth my destiny and virtues back alive now and forever.
Present your personal petitions.
