Blog

The Overflow

“and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest)” (Joshua 3:15).

In Joshua 3, the time finally came for the Jews to cross over the Jordan and start their entry into the promised land. Their entry was delayed by forty years, due to the disobedience and rebellion of their parents. They journeyed until one generation were completely wiped out, (except Joshua and Caleb) and Moses died and was gathered to be with God. They paused to grieve for Moses and then they prepared and embarked on their journey. After setting out, they camped there for three days, which signified completion. After the three days, the Priest were instructed to go ahead of the people, about 200 cubits or 18 inches ahead. This was because the ark of God is holy and the people were not allowed to touch it or to come near. The Levitical Priest who were consecrated and appointed, were assigned to carry the ark or the presence of God on their shoulders.

The people were told to consecrate themselves ahead of this next great move of God. As the Priests took the ark and moved ahead of the people, God spoke a promise to Joshua. “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (Joshua 3:7). Joshua was anointed and set apart among the people to lead and stand in place of Moses. The priest were instructed to stand still, as they came to the entrance of the Jordan River. “And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap” (Joshua 3:13). As the Priests set out, the Jordan river obeyed the command of God and the waters piled up so that the people could cross over.

The Priests remained standing in the river until all of the people, of the twelve tribes crossed over safely to the other side. Now what was interesting about the time when the people crossed over, was that is was during the harvest season. It was during this season when the river overflowed its banks. The overflow also cleared the river’s path of wild animals or any potential threats to the people. There is mention of this later in 1 Chronicles when soldiers travelled to Ziglag to meet David. “These are the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks, and put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west” (1 Chronicles 12:15). The harvest season began towards the end of Spring, towards the end of April when the ice from the winter season was melting.

The harvest season would continue during May-July, after the spring crops had been planted and given time to come to maturity. The timing of their crossing also meant that the river was more treacherous, as the tide had risen. Nevertheless, God is not limited by times and seasons and he was able to stop the flow of the river in order to allow his children to cross over. Saints, we are entering our season of harvest and God is making a way for us to cross over. No one will be able to stand against us and not even the elements, the times or seasons will affect our advancement. Once the presence of God goes before us, we will cross over. Consecrate yourself so that the presence of God will go ahead of you, to guarantee victory and then move forward. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

A.P.-Y.

Only Believe

“But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe””(Mark 5:36).

Jesus taught many valuable lessons, about our need to believe in God’s ability to do the impossible. Of having faith beyond what seems humanly possible and pushing well beyond reason. Jairus approached Jesus to beg him to come and lay hands on his daughter, because she was sick unto death. On his way to heal Jairus’s daughter, another woman with an issue of blood pressed through the crowd to grab hold of Jesus. “For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well”” (Mark 5:28).

The woman touched Jesus, immediately she was healed and he felt the power flow out of his body. Jesus stopped to inquire about who had touched him? He knew that this was not a regular touch because the crowds were pressing to get close to him. He felt the touch of faith and belief in his ability to heal. The woman confessed and Jesus told her that it was her faith that made her well (Mark 5:25-34).

While all of this was happening, someone came from Jairus’s house with the report that his daughter had died. Their suggestion was to no longer trouble Jesus, because they didn’t imagine that it was possible for her to be brought back from the dead. Jesus overheard and encouraged Jairus to stay in faith and believe in what only God could do. There were people already mourning at the house when Jesus arrived. He questioned their lament and assured them that the child was only asleep. Their crying turned to scornful laughter and Jesus put them outside of the house. Jesus took the girl by the hand and commanded her to arise. The child got out of bed and immediately started walking (Mark 5: 35-42).

There is nothing that is impossible for God to do. His strength is perfect when we are without strength and his power is limitless and defies human logic or reasoning. Lift your faith and trust in what God is able to do. “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”” (Matthew 19:26).

A.P.-Y.

Revelation and Redemption

“And David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And how shall I make atonement, that you may bless the heritage of the Lord”” (2 Samuel 21:3)?

In 2 Samuel 21, Isreal experienced famine for three years during David’s reign. David sought the face of God to understand the cause of the famine. God revealed that the famine was as a result of bloodguilt on Saul and his household, because he had put the Gibeonites to death. Now the Gibeonites were the people who had tricked Joshua and the elders of Isreal, into thinking that they had travelled from far to meet with them. They got them to sign a covenant that they would not kill them, but allow them to live among them as their servants. Despite Isreal’s error, this contract was spiritually binding. However, during Saul’s reign, he tried to kill them in his zeal for the people of Judah. Once God revealed to David the current cause of their calamity, he called the Gibeonites to ask them what he could do to make atonement.

“The Gibeonites said to him, “It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel.” And he said, “What do you say that I shall do for you”” (2 Samuel 21:4)? The Gibeonites requested that seven of the sons of Saul, be killed to make atonement for the sins done to them. David spared Mephiobsheth because of the oath that he made with Johnathan. He handed over seven of the sons of Saul to the Gibeonites and they killed them. One of the mothers of Saul’s sons, Rizpah put sackloth on the rock where the bodies of the men were slain. She did this to prevent birds from eating their bodies. David heard about her actions and got men to collect all the bones of Saul and his sons and buried them in the tomb of Saul’s father.

Once all of these actions were completed, God responded to the plea of the land and restored them from the famine. The story above is quite a gruesome one and we may not require death and hanging as atonement for sin in our times. That being said, many countries still implement the death penalty as payment for murder. It could be said that the law would have considered the death of seven men, as just punishment for the near genocide of a nation of people. Whatever our conviction, we can see that Isreal experienced famine as a result of the sins of Saul. Although he was dead, he was king and leader of Isreal and his actions had a direct impact on the people. The land was now in famine for over three years and it was David’s knowledge of God, which led him to seek answers.

The promises of God for Isreal was that he would always send rain, to water their crops and cause them to have a good harvest. Once they were experiencing famine for such a long period, David knew that something was out of alignment. He was a king who operated as a priest and we are not told that he consulted with one of the prophets. He sought God for an answer and then did what was necessary to make atonement and bring restoration to Isreal. There are some calamities that we experience, that may have roots in things done by us out of ignorance. It does not hurt to seek the face of God, to ask him to reveal the source of a problem. Sometimes the condition may be through no fault of our own and can represent redemptive suffering. Either way, having revelation and understanding of what we are experiencing will help us to know how to respond.

“He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom” (Job 12:22).

A.P.-Y.

Divine Help

“If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately’’” (Mark 11:3).

During Jesus’s time on earth, he took on the nature of mankind, in order to demonstrate to us his understanding of our every day struggles. The bible said that we do not have a high priest (Jesus), who cannot be touched or who cannot relate to our infirmities (weaknesses), but experienced temptations in the same way that we did, yet he did not sin. As a result of Jesus’s life, death and resurrection, we have access to the throne of grace. In fact, we can approach God with boldness, to find mercy and help in times of need (Hebrews 4:15-16). As part of his demonstration to us, Jesus showed us how to walk in authority and how to trust God to meet our needs. Jest before the Passover, Jesus needed a donkey for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

He sent his disciples into a nearby village and told them where to find a colt, that had not been ridden. They were told to respond that the Lord needed it, if they were challenged about taking the colt. They responded as Jesus instructed and the colt was released to him. In another example, Jesus needed to prepare for the Passover meal and again he sent his disciples to find a place. “He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples’”” (Matthew 26:18). The scriptures do not mention that the disciples experienced any opposition, however, the story progressed to them having the Passover meal. This meal traditionally consisted of a sacrificial lamb, with bread, wine and herbs.

The venue, the wine, the bread and the lamb would have been provided for Jesus and his twelve disciples to eat and be full. I never saw Jesus express any worry concerning where provision would come from for either himself, his disciples or followers. There’s another story when Jesus needed to pay taxes for he and Peter. He sent Peter to go fishing and to open the mouth of the first fish that he caught. Within the fish’s mouth, was enough money to pay the taxes for both Peter and Jesus. He was demonstrating to his disciples and to us that our help comes from God. Before we had a need, God had a way of meeting that need and provision is waiting if we have the faith to receive it. Help also comes in the form of angelic assistance and when Peter struck off the ear of the soldiers, Jesus reminded Peter of the power available to him.

“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53)? The reminder to Peter was that, we do not need to lean on our own strength nor rely on our own human understanding. It’s not by our power or might, but by the strength of the Lord, that we gain wealth and provision and we overcome the devil. Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth and God wants to meet our needs when we learn to pray, wait on him and have faith. “And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes”” (Mark 9:23). Like the father in this story, many times we have to pray against doubt, fear and unbelief. God is willing and able to help us and send us help in times of need.

A.P.-Y.

God Cares

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Heartbreak does not represent the absence of God and he also hurts when we hurt. His arms are ready to save us when our spirits have been crushed by disappointments. God cannot be tempted of evil and it is the presence of sin in the world that leads to heartbreak and hurt. Sometimes God will allow hurt, but he stays close to us to guard our hearts and strengthen our spirits.

Jesus also experienced the most severe forms of rejection from his own people, which led to his cruel death on the cross. He understood grief and in the garden of Gethsemane leading to his death, he experienced anguish and pain. Isaiah prophesied of Jesus that He is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. “And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” (Isaiah 53:3).

Jesus is no stranger to sorrow and yes he was despised. Imagine Pilate offering to release Barabbas who was a hardened criminal, instead of Jesus and the people chose Barabbas. Why would people so despise Jesus who went around doing good, such as healing the sick and cleansing the leaper, yet embrace a hardened criminal?

This is why Jesus came to take our sorrow, shame, guilt, rejection and insecurities to the cross with him. He knows exactly how we feel when we hurt and he is no stranger to emotional pain. “Surely He has borne our griefs; And carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). All of these emotions have been nailed to the cross of Jesus and in exchange, he offers us an abundant life with him.

Trust God to be close to you when you are hurting and know that he understands every kind of hurt. God is close to you and he cares when we hurt.

A.P.-Y.

Bursting Forth

“He who opens the breach goes up before them; they break through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their king passes on before them, the Lord at their head” (Micah 2:13).

Waters will burst out and overflow the dam, that has been stopped in order to deny my people of their supply. I saw an image of a dam which was stopped to prevent the water flowing through to the people of God. They are in a valley, weary, dry and faint, while the wicked revel in excesses. They laugh like jackals, they drink, revel and bathe in the excess water that they have stopped and prevented from flowing. They perceive that they can stop God’s children from being refreshed. Still there is a steady stream that flows from under the rocks to keep God’s people from being parched. Yet, there is a shaking. Tectonic plates are shifting slowly and there is a shaking and shifting. It’s small shifts that have created small cracks that are being stoped up again. Wait and see, because the dam will break. Within a few months time, there will be an explosion and the water will burst out and spring forth violently, so that God’s people will be revived, refreshed and restored. This breaking forth will be so violent that many of the wicked will not survive. It’s coming!

“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” (Isaiah 43:19).

A.P.-Y.

Silence Your Fears

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

The bible is full of scriptures that speak about fear and the need to have courage. In many instances, when an angel appeared to saints, the first instruction would be, ‘fear not.’ The Jews are recorded as being quite fearful of God and ran away when he spoke to them out of the mountain. “and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die”” (Exodus 20:19). Moses also told them not to fear and said that God had come to test them, so that they would fear him. The type of fear which Moses spoke of was not the unpleasant emotion associated with being in danger. He spoke of reverential awe, respect and submission. This is one of the only times when we are told to have any type of fear and this is reserved for God.

Another time when the Jews were afraid, was when they were between Pharaoh and the Red Sea. This event would produce fear in almost anyone, as the situation seemed like certain death. I believe that God allowed these events to teach his people about faith and trust in him. God opened the sea to let the people go through and then closed the sea when Pharaoh and his army pursued (Exodus 14: 19-31). The outcome should also have produced in the people, a deep sense of trust and the fear of God. We are not sure how much the many signs and wonders done by God, helped to increase faith in the Jews. They cried and complained at the first sign of every major trial and they failed the final test of entering the promised land. After spying out the land, the ten spies spoke out their fears in the hearing of the people.

What the spies spoke invoked an extreme sense of fear in the people and caused them to rebel. Caleb and Joshua spoke faith and hope, but their voices were drowned out by the voices of fear. Isreal failed their assignment and an entire generation died in the wilderness, because of fear. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones to survive, because they had courage (Numbers 13). Fear originates from the devil as God did not give us the spirit of fear, but he gave us power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Whenever we have a negative thought, which creates an unpleasant emotion within us, we know that it is from the devil. It is one thing to feel fear, the mistake is to give it a voice. It is possible that Caleb and Joshua felt that same reservations that the other ten spies felt. The difference is that they did not give a voice to it.

When you feel fear, know that the devil is near and his agents are speaking. Instead of repeating the lies that they are whispering, bind the spirit of fear, resist the devil and he will run (James 4:7). We cannot stop the devil from projecting doubts and fears towards us, but we can use the shield of faith to block him. We can also rebuke him and speak a word of faith which contradicts his lies. The one thing that we should not do, is to repeat the lies. The devil is after our words and he whispers lies, in the hope that we will repeat them. He understands spiritual laws and since the bible says that whatever we decree will be established, that also includes lies associated with fear. All the devil needs is for us to speak from a place of fear, but let us guard our mouths and keep a watch over our words. Speak the word of God when you feel afraid and don’t succumb to the enemy.

“being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete” (2 Corinthians 10:6).

A.P.-Y.