When the Heavens are Closed: Excerpts from the Circle Maker - Part 1
Because we are surrounded by the technologies that make our lives easier and faster, we tend to apply same to spiritual realities.
Unfortunately, Life is not as "instant" as we would like it to be. We need the patience of the planter, the foresight of the farmer, as well as the mindset of the sower. All these three people know and appreciate the real meaning of patience especially when dealing with biennial and perennial crops.
Have you ever prayed or you are continuously praying desperately for that life-changing miracle and you have heard in clear terms that God said yes to it but it seems He has gone on a year-long vacation or the Heavens have been shut against you? Some of the hardest moments in life are when you have prayed through and through but the answer is not just coming and you don't know why......
Let's go down the memory lane to the walls of Jericho.
Joshua 6:1-2 says...
".......Now Jericho [a fortified city with high walls] was tightly closed because [of the people’s fear] of the sons of Israel; no one went out or came in. 2 TheLord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the mighty warriors....."
Did you catch the verb tense? God spoke in past tense, not future tense. The battle was already won even before it began. God had already given them the city. All they had to do was to circle it with something which was .......
How often do we want to take a chill pill when problems show up in the face of unanswered prayers, rather than take the praise pill? True faith doesn't celebrate ex post facto, after the miracle has already happened; True faith celebrate before the miracle happens.
Sometimes when you have prayed through, then it's time to circle the "jericho" and praise through. What is that issue that has been causing you tears and sleepless nights? A terminal illness? Financial burdens? Unemployment? Lack of peace? Lay that doctors report down, that sack letter, that situation and circle it in praise.
To that person saying this is almost the last quarter of the year and the problem is still there, circle it in praise. To that person losing it because of the lingering issue, throw a praise party like never before.
Paul and Silas, after praying they praised God such that their praises shook the foundations of the prison and God showed up.
Praise is a higher dimension of faith. Throw a praise party today and watch God move the world for you.
Prayer, they say, moves the hand of God. Praise moves God himself.
Happy Holidays!
Peace, Love and Cupcakes.
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