In Matthew 18, Jesus’s disciples asked him who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’s response was to call a child and placed him in their midst. “Unless you become like a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus explained further, that anyone who had the humility of a child and to also received a child in his name, would be greatest in the kingdom. Jesus was clear that a person who caused a young child to sin, was better off having a millstone placed around his neck and drowned into the sea. A similar reference to becoming like children is likened to being born again.

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour, requires child-like faith and a surrender of our selves. The salvation experience puts us unto the path of a new life and being born again, makes us infants in Christ. As we grow in faith, we develop Christlike maturity, but only after we have first taken on the position of children. Jesus also made mention of the angels assigned to small children. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).

In the very next chapter, people brought children to Jesus, so that he could lay his hands on them and bless them. The disciples put on quite a disappointing show, given the lesson that Jesus had just taught them in chapter 18. They rebuked the people, “but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven”” (Matthew 19:14). In other words, Jesus was happy to receive the children, because their disposition was likened to the kingdom of heaven.

The reference to being like children is not in relation to being childish. To be childish refers to being immature, while childlike in the spiritual sense, refers to humility. Childlike faith requires that we believe what Jesus says. Earthly knowledge can lead to pride and arrogance. We have to remember that the wisdom of men is foolishness to God. Many people who know a lot and consider themselves to be highly educated, can sometimes struggle to wrap their minds around the things of faith. In knowing more, sometimes people know less, because earthly wisdom can cause a person to think that they have all the answers.

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In 1 Samuel, we read about Eli who served as a priest in the house of the Lord, along with his two sons. “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12). Eli’s two sons Hophni and Phinehas mistreated the people and the offerings of the Lord. They also slept with women and would not listen to the voice of the their father. As a result of their behaviour, God rejected Eli’s house. “Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house” (1 Samuel 2:31).

God already had a plan for his people, as Hannah gave Samuel to serve as a priest in the temple. Hannah’s perceived misfortune of barrenness, led to God’s answer for his people. Hannah made a vow to God that if he gave her a child, she would give him into the service of the Lord. Once Samuel was weaned, she took him and presented him to God. “Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there” (1 Samuel 1:28). Samuel served the Lord in the temple, at a time when the word of the Lord was rare and there were no frequent visions.

The Lord called Samuel and spoke to him, concerning what would happen next in Isreal. “On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end” (1 Samuel 3:12). Isreal soon engaged in a battle with the Philistines and Eli’s two sons were killed. The ark of the covenant was also captured and the news of this terrified Eli. He fell back from his seat and died. Eli’s daughter-in-law was pregnant and when she heard the news of the death of her husband and father-in-law and about the ark, she went into labour. She also died during childbirth and named her son, “Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel” (1 Samuel 4:21).

Eli and his sons were from the tribe of the Levites, who were chosen to serve God in the temple. Eli’s sons did not reverence God, nor did they have care and respect for the people. These men abused their power and used their spiritual authority to mistreat people. God held Eli responsible because his sons were blasphemous and he failed to discipline them. The concept of discipline is discussed many times in scripture and God is clear that it is important for everyone. This is one of the highest forms of love and the exercise of wisdom. “because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:12).

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Shortly after the Lord called Samuel to be the prophet over the people of Israel, the Philistines made war against them. Israel was being beaten by the Philistines, so they asked that the ark of the Lord be brought into their camp. They perceived that with the presence of the Lord in their midst, they were guaranteed victory. The Philistines were afraid when they heard that Isreal had the ark of the Covent. “Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness” (1 Samuel 4:8). Despite their fear, they pursued the Israelites and defeated them.

The Israelites ran away and the ark of God was captured by the Philistines. They took the ark to Ashdod and put it in the house of Dagon their god and placed it beside him. The next day they found Dagon lying face down on the floor. They put Dagon back in his place and the next day, he was not only lying face down, but his hands and head had been cut off. “The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory” (1 Samuel 5:6). They moved the ark of God between three different cities, because of the affliction that they experienced.

On each occasion, the city which they took the ark to, was afflicted by tumours and death. The people eventually agreed to send the ark of God back to the children of Israel. “They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you”” (1 Samuel 6:3). The Philistines melted gold and made images of the tumours and mice that had ravaged their land. They hoped that the hand of the Lord would be lighter with them due to their offering.

I am amazed at how the presence of God brought terror on the Philistines. The ark was designed to rest with God’s people and carried his presence. Although Isreal was in a state of sin, the Philistines were foolish to think that they could place God in a tent with their other god. No wonder Dagon was found face down with his head and hands cut off. Furthermore, God had a covenant with his own people and not with the Philistines. The presence of God among them served as judgement as they were the enemies of God. More so, the ark did not belong to them and their envy and stupidity led to their calamity. “There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours” (Psalm 86:8).

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Jesus spoke to his disciples in John 14 about what would happen after his death. In preparation for this, he spoke to his disciples often about the promises to them. “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). Jesus promised to send them the comforter in the person of the Holy Spirit. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16). Jesus also promised that the Holy Spirit, would teach the disciples and remind them of the things which he had shared with them.

Jesus’s other promise in this teaching was the gift of peace. This is the sort of peace which passes all human understanding and reasoning. Paul mentioned that this peace would guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Anxiety, worry, dread and fear are all connected to the heart and mind. A restless mind produces anxiety and can cause sensations like an elevated heart rate and heart palpitations. Paul was confirming that the peace which Jesus promised us, would protect our mind and hearts from these symptoms of stress. The world is in search of rest and peace.

Many people will pay a lot of money to see therapist, counsellors, coaches and gurus in order to try to cultivate peace. Other people spend money, on expensive health and wellness retreats in order to try to find peace and calm. The good news is that for the believer in Christ, this is a free gift. Just like the Holy Spirit is a gift to us, along with Him is gift of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and as long as we remain connected to him, then we are guaranteed peace. Why are so many Christians not at peace? Examine what and who they are connected to.

Are you more connected to the news, social media and your phone? Do you constantly engage in gossip and hearsay? Being overly saturated with worldly affairs will rob us of our peace. When we hear God speak, his voice gives us peace and a reassurance that he is with us. We have a choice to either stay busy with the cares of life and neglect time in the presence God, or we can stay connected in order to maintain our peace. It was a revelation to me when I discovered that Jesus actually promised us his peace. Stay in his presence and rest in his free gift peace.

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Solomon was one of the wealthiest men written about in scripture. When Solomon became King, God appeared to him in a dream and told him to make a request of him. Solomon requested wisdom and God honoured his request and added extra benefits along with the gift of wisdom. “I have also given you what you have not asked, both wealth and honor, so that there will not be anyone equal to you among the kings, for all your days” (1 Kings 3:13). Solomon was both wise and wealthy and wrote the book of proverbs to provide insight into his life.

What Solomon was conveying in Proverbs 10:22, is that God is the one who makes a person rich and this is not necessarily through hard labour. Other versions say, not through painful toil. We have often been taught that hard work leads to success or makes us rich. If that were the case then many people with extremely labour intensive jobs would be wealthy. The opposite often is the case and it appears that it is wisdom and strategy which generates wealth. Additionally, some people were born into inter-generational wealth and are taught money management strategies from their parents who had access to wealth.

James said in chapter 1:5, if a person lacks wisdom, then let him ask God who gives generously. Moses warned the Israelites to be careful not to think that their own power or strength had caused them to gain wealth. “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

A few points to consider from our scripture references today; it is not sinful to gain wealth and God can bless us with wealth without painful toil or sorrow; wisdom helps to produce wealth and if we ask God, he will give us the wisdom that we need to gain wealth.

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David sang unto God and recalled how God delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians. David reflected on how as a people, his descendants went through trials by fire. They experienced circumstances that felt like they were drowning. The good thing about God is his restoration power and despite their affliction, the end result was restoration and wealth. Some versions refer to coming into a place of abundance. Israel experienced hardship and affliction for many years in Egypt. Despite their trials and testing, God remained true to his promises.

“and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:17). Why a promise of milk and honey? The Jews were farmers and the flow of milk meant a large supply of livestock and cattle. The flow of honey meant pleasant lands where bees could produce honey for sweetening. The journey between Egypt and Canaan took over forty years. There were many battles with some victories and some losses. In the end, the people came into their place of abundance, rest and peace.

“Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there” (Joshua 21:43). Abundance, wealth and prosperity has always been in the plan of God for his children. I am not talking about the love of money, or becoming overly materialistic to the point of lukewarmness. There are some Christians who make it seem, like wanting to have abundance is ungodly. Whenever God’s people were in right standing with him and walking in obedience, the result was always rest and peace.

Joel spoke about God’s restoration of his people after years of affliction. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame” (Joel 2:26). God’s will is prosperity, abundance and wealth. When the righteous have access to wealth, there is a guarantee that the less fortunate will be supported. The church also needs access to resources for the furtherance of the gospel. We are in a season of restoration, favour and great grace. Tap into this season of open heavens and claim what God has in store for you.

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In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he prayed for them to have the spirit of wisdom and revelation to gain insight into the things of God. The things of God cannot be understood through human reasoning. This is why the carnal mind is enmity against God or stands opposed to the things of God (Romans 8:7). We cannot use our human intellect to reason out and understand the wisdom of God. Understanding the things of God requires faith to see what does not yet exist.

Jesus’s disciples once asked him why he spoke to the crowds in parables which were at times hard to understand. “And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:11; 13).

It takes revelation knowledge from God and being submitted to the Holy Spirit to discern the supernatural. Being a Christian and trying to explain some aspects of faith to a non-Christian can at times seem foolish. “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

We have to be confident and secure in what we know and in whom we believe. We have to know when to give an answer but also discern when to avoid foolish debates and arguments about scripture. As we study the word and grow closer to God, our spiritual senses are trained to understand the things of God. There are things that we will see, hear and feel that we cannot explain to people who aren’t mature in God. Stay connected to the Holy Spirit and maintain relationships with believers who can strengthen your faith and help sharpen your senses.

“As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]” (Proverbs 27:17).

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Nahum was considered a minor prophet of the Old Testament, who prophesied concerning the destruction of Nineveh. Nineveh consisted of the Assyrian empire, which conspired against the Jews and against Judah. Nahum described God’s anger against Nineveh. “The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies” (Nahum 1:2). Nahum described God as being slow to anger, yet not likely to allow his enemies to escape. He is described like a whirlwind and storm and the clouds are like dust in his feet.

Nahum spoke about God’s power over the elements such as the sea which he spoke to and it dried up. “The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it” (Nahum 1:5). No one can stand before God’s anger and indignation and his wrath is poured out like fire. Despite these fiery descriptions, God is also described as a stronghold in the day of trouble. God is not absolute and he is able to be whatever he wants to be. Some of us understand what it is like to be calm, caring and kind, yet we know how to be harsh, challenging and difficult if we want to be.

Who we are dealing with often determines the side of us they see. In a similar way, God is gracious, caring, loving and protective of his children. God is also a dreadful, terrible God, who is full of anger and vengeance towards his enemies. So who are the enemies of God? The devil and his agents are the enemies of God. People are God’s creation and he loves us with an everlasting love. Sometimes people can become agents of the devil and be used to afflict God’s people. Anyone who allows themselves to become a pawn in the hands of satan, can expect to invoke the wrath of God.

The crux of the passage for me is in verses 8 and 9. “But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness” (Nahum 1:8). In the next verse, Nahum asked; “What do you conspire (plot) against the Lord?” The result is that, God would make a complete end of their plots and affliction would not arise a second time. That sickness, disease and infirmity will not arise a second time against you and your family. Debt will not overtake you again and you will never again live in poverty. That affliction or calamity will not arise against you a second time.

We cancel every demonic cycle and pattern, that the enemy is trying to use to frustrate your destiny and purpose. It does not matter what it looks like and it does not matter that this new situation feels similar to the last time. We stand in faith by the authority of the blood of Jesus and we cancel the works of darkness. We command the devil to cease and desist and we declare that we shall lie down in peace and dwell in safety. “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15).

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In Genesis 4 when Cain killed his brother Abel, God told him that his brother’s blood cried out to him from the ground. The shedding of his brother’s blood led to a curse in Cain’s life which also drove him from the ground. Abel died an unwilling sacrifice which caused a curse, from his murder on the earth. Jesus died a willing sacrifice to set us free and to redeem us to God. His blood removed the curse of mankind and speaks life and salvation through a new covenant. “And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24).

Old Testament sacrifices of blood were used to cleanse from sin and to protect the saints. It was the blood on the doorpost in Egypt, that protected the Israelites when the angel of death passed through the city (Exodus 12). The blood of Jesus Christ was shed as a sacrifice for our sins and it protects us from the enemy. “For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:11-12).

What a relief to know that we no longer have to provide animals to be offered up as a sacrifice for us. Imagine the backlash that the church would encounter from animal rights activists, if this was still practiced today. We now live through the eternal covenant of the blood of Jesus Christ, which equips us with everything good (Hebrews 13:21). The Passover supper is symbolic of the new covenant and seals our promise as heirs of Christ. We take the Lord’s supper in remembrance of his sacrifice.

The blood of Jesus covers our sins, failures, our home and our family. The life in his blood speaks into every dead situation and commands new life to spring forth. There is healing, deliverance and victory in the blood of Jesus Christ. We apply the blood to our families, our marriage, finances, careers and places of employment. And as we apply the blood we are assured of the covering from dangers seen and unseen. The blood of Jesus Christ is a weapon of war against the adversary. “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬).

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The disciples in the New Testament spent a lot of time in fasting and prayer, after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this was due to the many challenges that they experienced following Jesus’s ascension. We also saw Jesus’s response to John the Baptist’s disciples, when they enquired about his disciples and fasting. Jesus said that they were like guests at a wedding with the bridegroom, and so they could not fast. “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day” (Mark 2:20).

Later on in Acts 13, the disciples experienced death and imprisonment. Saul was a major antagonist of Christians until his amazing conversion on the road to Damascus. Soon after his conversion, Paul started ministering with the other disciples. Barnabas was the person who introduced Saul to the disciples and explained his conversion. Saul was now Paul, he was zealous for God and went around spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul also faced prosecution and threats to his life and spent time in prayer and fasting with the other disciples. It was during their prayer, fasting and worship session that Paul and Barnabas’s appointment happened.

‘Set them apart for me for the work which I have called them to.’ This was the leading of the Holy Spirit and the disciples obeyed. After fasting and praying, they laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them on their assignment. Why was it important for the disciples to lay their hands on Paul and Barnabas? This was the way that they demonstrated the transferring of the anointing and their divine appointment. In the Old Testament, the prophets would mostly anoint those who were appointed by pouring oil on their heads. The New Testament references to spiritual appointment was through the laying on of hands.

“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14). Timothy later expounded on this and made mention of the elders laying their hands for appointing. This would allow someone to operate in their spiritual gifts and abilities. What this meant is that being gifted did not automatically mean that someone was appointed. It is true that our gifts often point to our areas of spiritual gifting and opens doors of opportunity. We need to seek God in fasting and prayer, to confirm how he wants us to use our gifts for the expansion of his kingdom.

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