Stay steady! Even though you’re still currently in the Three Weeks of Sorrow (until July 18th), take this time to remember and reflect on a few things: How the Israelites worshipped the golden calf, how Moses broke the 10 Commandments at the sight of idol worship, the destruction of the Temple (twice), and most importantly, a time of repentance.
You need to make sure your life is in alignment with the Lord. Lay down whatever you are worshipping or exalting above the Lord.
But what if you feel oppression? Maybe your own personal temple is being attacked right now? Maybe it’s your health, family, job or other parts of your life that are being tested? Do you find yourself having to stand firm and stand in faith? Is there an assault against your mind? It’s in these times you have to remember that the Lord is sending you in HIS STRENGTH!
In Judges 6:11-16, it says,“The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’ ‘But sir,’ Gideon replied, ‘If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian. The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’ ‘But Lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’ And the Lord said, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.’”
Have you ever wondered where God was in your life? I find it interesting that in this passage we see there was a time of great sorrow and oppression, BUT GOD! He raised up Gideon. He raised him up even though Gideon saw himself as one who was oppressed and weak. The Lord says, “My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Praise the Lord! Do you see that? You just need to confess to the Lord when you are weak.
If you’re going through a difficulty right now, just say, “Lord, I’m feeling weak. Reveal to me what I need to change, how to put things into alignment with You, and what I need to restructure in my life. Open my eyes to the things that cannot go with me in my time of promotion.” When you do this, He will come, show you things, and make you strong! He is faithful! You will come through this time of testing!
Promotion time is coming – even if you don’t feel like it! Your strength comes from the Lord. You are part of God’s perfect plan. Go in the strength that He has given you. (See Judges 6:14)
Share this with a friend who needs to be strengthened and encouraged to keep moving forward. Be blessed!