In this week's sermon, John encouraged us to walk in the calling God has given us, as His children: to rebuild, restore and renew the things that seem desolate and forgotten, placing special emphasis on what we choose to agree within this season. We can either get bitter or better. We can either agree with fear and panic, or we can walk in the peace and boldness that comes from the Father and His goodness.
The Holy Spirit is speaking loudly to us in this season of turmoil and uncertainty : “Do not be afraid, do not fear!”
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated..." Isaiah 54:4
Now is not a time to partner with panic and anxiety. Let's focus our attention on the Lord and draw strength from Him.
The Valley isn't the Destination:
"We're gonna walk through the valley. He is bringing us into an open space."
It's important to remind ourselves of prophetic messages that the Lord has given us in the past. They will pull us through the current valley of the shadow to the other side, into wide open spaces of His purposes for us.
"We don't always have to have a new word. We just need to hold on to the word He has already given to us."
This is such a key passage of Scripture for us, as the Breakthru Family:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
The promises of God, spoken through Isaiah, in a season which preceded a horrific period of 70 years captivity (lockdown), confirmed the restoring and redeeming purposes of God towards His people. God will work in us and our circumstances, and then He will work through us to fulfil the prophetic purposes for our lives here in South Africa.
"God is God no matter what the season!"
A few interesting things to note:
God’s glory is revealed in His goodness (Exodus 33).
God's vengeance is against His enemies, not His children.
Judgment day is judgment against His enemies, not against His children!
Points to meditate on:
Recall to mind the dreams God has given you for your life. Remind one another of the prophetic promises of revival for South Africa. Rejoice with thanksgiving for the way in which God, our Father, has carried us through this year.
You can watch the whole sermon here: