HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Sitting here on an early Thanksgiving morning filled with joy. I am a blessed man in every way with a beautiful wife who loves me, a wonderful ‘cottage’ we call home, a church family that extends around the world, health, and so much more. But, most of all, filled with joy because of You, Jesus! Your love is EVERYTHING.
I am drawn to Psalm 40. The first 5 verses read, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth–Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
First thing that strikes me is David “waited patiently”–this is not resignation; but, eager anticipation. ‘Wait’ means, “to stay in a place of expectation, stationary in readiness.” ‘Patient’ means, “steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or opposition.’
I was also struck by the image of the “horrible pit…miry clay”–and the picture that came to my heart is the slavery of Israel in Egypt, and how the harsh task masters forced them to make brick in every increasing difficulty and brutality. Until the day that the Lord, suddenly, brought them OUT.
The Lord says, “I know the hardships in your life. I know the way the slave drivers, the oppressors have sought to bring you into every increasing bondage, deeper into hardship and despair.” “I have heard your cry. I have not forgotten you. And, just as I moved with power on behalf of My people; so, too, have I moved with power on your behalf.” The Lord says, “Know this, My children–YOU ARE ALREADY LIFTED UP AND SET FREE. The enemy seeks to maintain control of you just as Pharaoh sought to control and keep My people of old. But, the chains he placed on you ARE BROKEN, the pit he kept you in IS GONE. You do know this-I only seek to remind you, so that you will stand fast in your faith.”
I am also struck by the power of deliverance in David’s words….his feet are SET on a ROCK. His steps are ESTABLISHED.
Papa says, “I have set you free, I have lifted you up. And you are set, firmly placed, UPON ME; for, I AM your ROCK. I AM your HIGH PLACE, your REFUGE, your STRONG TOWER. I AM the ROCK OF AGES..and you will never be shaken or moved, for you are firmly placed.” “Know this, too, My children–this place of freedom means that you are free to MOVE. I AM directing your steps, guiding you along a new path. It is a path you have never been on before; for, it is one of FREEDOM, not bondage. In your bondage, you could not move. All was the same-day after day. But, no more. For these are the days of established steps. These are the days of GREAT MOVEMENT. For I AM moving, and you are moving with Me.”
When I read down through verses 3-5, I am struck by the praise of David. He declares the new song, the praise lifted high–the high praises–which has the effect of bringing in a great harvest. There is, in David, that reality of the experience of God’s WONDERFUL WORKS..the experience of a son of God, not a slave of Egypt.
The Lord says, “Yes, I have done, and continue to DO WONDERFUL WORKS. And My thoughts toward you are all WONDERFUL. These works are the signs, wonders, miracles I AM pouring forth in these days. These wonderful works are My outpouring of inheritance upon you.”
“You, My children, are about to experience My wonderful works in NEW and AMAZING ways. In the past, you have seen My works only in part, only in small measure. But, the days are at hand when My works are being poured forth with great power. The days are at hand for GLOBAL GLORY MANIFESTATION..that the nations of the earth will see and fear My NAME.” “Suddenly, and soon,” says the Lord, “I will release through you such an explosion of miracle working power, that such works will be too numerous to count.” “And, as you move in My Power, you will lift HIGH PRAISES through a NEW SONG. This new song is the SONG OF GLORY, SONG OF MIRACLES, SONG OF FREEDOM. It is more than just a song of music, it is a song of miracles. It is a song that shatters darkness, breaks the yoke of the oppressor, and brings healing upon the land.”
“Therefore,” says the Lord, “TRUST…faith Me, My children, and STAND FAST in that faith. You must, My children, throw off the garments of slavery and the shroud of REPROACH. For such are the grave clothes of a VICTIM–you are NOT a victim–you are My VICTORIOUS ONES. Cast off all such garments and do not allow any voice of defeat enter your ear. Do not allow any voice of fear enter your heart. Do not let any voice of poverty speak to your heart, or thought of poverty enter your mind. For all such voices are lies of a defeated foe. For all such voices are merely echoes of the past with no substance to them at all.” “I remind you again that My thoughts toward you are all GOOD–thoughts of prosperity not poverty, of freedom not bondage, of LIFE, HOPE, FUTURE.”
“Watch and see, for SUDDENLY AND SOON your hopes, your expectations, your desires will be brought before your eyes and held in your hands. SUDDENLY AND SOON you will taste and see what you’ve longed for. For the time is short, and My Glory is pouring forth like a flood–Stand fast, and watch. Stand fast, and praise My NAME,” says the Lord.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!