DON'T STOP DIGGING

It's been truly a season of weariness for my soul; it seems as if the promises of God are out of reach. My heart is tired, aching from the weariness of waiting, and surrounded with hopelessness.  Does God operate only in slow speed?  At the moment, it honestly feels this way.  As I have held unto the promised of God for so long; my grasp has been slowly letting go.  As the words of the enemy keep whispering, "God will never fulfill your calling!"  Deep within my soul I knew the truth, it's a lie completely from Hell.  However, it feels as if the mountain isn't standing around me; it's on top of me.  It's buried me deep!  All of the questions, fears, and the weariness of waiting has caused me to withdraw completely.  It's honestly broken my heart, the core of my being.  God spoke the world into existence with His word-nothing else.  Oh, how powerful are the Words of God!  So, what's the truth of the lesson?

During worship this morning, I felt the Lord stirring my heart to a story found in Genesis 26:12-25 about Issac.  Issac is working in the fields of his enemies and the Lord blessed him greatly; it was a hundredfold.  It was enough to get the notice of his enemies!  As Issac's wealth grew, so did the envy of his enemies.  Both were growing with strength and power, so the enemy tried to attack him.  All of the wells of Abraham were dried up due to the Philistines filling it with earth.  What a slap in the face!  A promise of God was given to Abraham; a promise to be carried through his family line.  Yet, it's buried deep within the earth.  Water once existed there, it's a place of remembrance!  It's named accordingly to the purpose and powerful promise of God.  Yet, the wells died with Abraham, it's only a distant memory until Issac takes the shovel.  

Faith must act with the Word of God, so it can come forth to completion. 

What has God spoken into your life?  It's a powerful Word of truth, power, and nothing can defeat it!  Yet, maybe it feels as if it's buried deep in the well; it's covered shut.  It's buried with all of the discouragement, despair, questions, and defeat.  Not only has the power of the well stopped; the opportunity to open the well is removed.  The enemy commanded Issac to move away because YOU HAVE BECOME TOO POWERFUL FOR US!  Wait a minute!!!!  Did you catch what the enemy said?  You have become too powerful for us.  What did Issac do wrong?  Absolutely nothing!  He was completely faithful, working diligently, and blessed for serving the Lord.  Sometimes we don't understand why the battle comes into our lives.  It wasn't anything Issac did wrong; it was the un-godly motives of his enemy!  Yet, maybe the battle was for Issac to recognize the power of God inside him. 

Although Issac didn't realize it, God was working in his life.  Issac moves to the valley of Gerar and settles there.  Although his motives are pure and true to the calling of God, it didn't stop the plan of the enemy.  We must understand God's calling is a precious gift; it doesn't come without warfare.  It doesn't come without our faith being tested, our character transformed, and a personal work of God within us.  

Issac is reopening the wells that have been dug in the time of his father.  What a beautiful opportunity to be allowed to honor his father!  All of the wells stopped after Abraham's death but Issac is bring them back to life!  All of the wells keep the original names spoken by Abraham; it was Issac's desire.  As the servants faithfully dig in the valley, something emerges from the broken ground-fresh water.  Issac heard about the promise of God but it had to be a personal encounter.  Issac couldn't carry the promise of God in his heart until he dug for it.  He had to personally see it, feel it, and believe it for himself.  It was a work God wanted to do within the heart of Isaac.  Out of brokenness heart God will bring about "fresh water" to our lives.  We are not only to hold unto the promises of yesterday; we are to dig for the present ones.  We are to be steadfast, persistent, and open to the direction of God's leading.

When we are truly called and blessed by God, it will be evident in the physical.  The fresh water was proof of God's blessing and the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen.  A quarrel of a jealous heart causes discord to prevent the work of God to continue.  It's interesting to me how the herdsmen who reside in Gerar didn't do any of the work.  Yet as the water comes forth, they make their claim.  So, Issac named the well, "Esek" and it means "contention."  If that's not a mouthful!  So, Issac moves on to dig another well but they claim it too.  So, he names it "Sitnah" which means "hatred."  Finally, Issac digs another well and names it "Reheboth." It means "spacious place."  When God makes a promise upon your life NO ONE can take the claim; it will be too spacious for anyone to hold.

As Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun."  It seems always people want to take credit for the work of others instead of taking a shovel to help.  Although the territory of the valley of Gerar was of Philistine origin; it didn't stop the blessings upon Issac's life.  May this give your heart peace especially if you feel as if you are in the enemies camp.  No matter where your feet may travel, God will always be with His children.  Issac didn't stop digging because the enemy pursued him; he keep digging until the enemy shut up.  NO ONE QUARRELED over the well!  Eventually, the enemy will get tired of pursing us, he can't conquer us.  The mission or call upon our lives may be attacked but it can't be stopped.  God will lift up our hearts as we eagerly pursue to dig the wells!  How can I be sure?  God appeared to Issac and He blessed him!  

"That night the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham.  Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham." Genesis 26:24

The enemy wanted to cause Issac to stop digging the wells, he wanted to destroy or frustrate the work of his hands.  Yet, although the enemy pursued with a savage desire; it was quenched.  As the presence of God came to Issac at Beersheba; it was the solid well of oath.  It was the completed well of promise because Beersheba means "the well of an oath; the seventh well." (all of the definitions for the wells came from www.biblestudytools.com)  

Issac was powerful to conquer the battle of the enemy because God was with him.  Not only was it a proven in the physical world but the enemy saw it.  When truly God does a work in our life; even the enemy will stand to watch. God will never quench the promise in our lives but He wants us to dig it out!  He wants us to purse it with an eager heart, anticipation of the promise, and fight until it's done!  Don't put the shovel down!  Pick it up and dig again!  God will give you fresh water, He will never allow you to die from thirst.  Don't you get it!  Issac had the last laugh!  He conquered the plan of the enemy because he didn't stop digging.  

WRESTLING TO RECEIVE

If you want to move the heart of person, speak the Word of God.  Nothing will transform, heal, or bring truth to change the situation expect the power of God’s Word.  It’s truly what changed my life!  God’s Word is the richest treasure I possess, it’s filled my heart with life.  Yet, I also hold another book dear to my heart, it’s my purple journal.  Why is this journal so important to me?  It holds every prophetic promise ever spoken over my life and Scriptures during my prayer time with God.  Its truth for my life or precious reminders when I am wrestling with believing them.  During my difficult moments of doubt, trials, or when the enemy tempts me to quit I will read those precious words to encourage myself in the Lord.  We must understand our life is a journey but the promises of God will keep us on the right path.

As I have been waiting for God’s promise to come, God has been preparing me to receive it.  It’s a Scriptural principle displayed in the life of anyone who you study in Scripture.  Inside her womb Rebekah was very uncomfortable and she inquired of the Lord about it.  When she inquired of the Lord, He spoke a prophetic word about the twins inside her womb. (Genesis 25:23)  Instead of trusting God to bring the prophetic promise into Jacob’s life, Rebekah deceived her husband and taught her son to do the same.  As a result of their unwillingness to trust God, it destroyed their family.  Esau lost not only his birthright but his blessing through Jacob’s deception.  As a result Esau wanted to kill Jacob for his deception, so he had to flee.  Fleeing from your sins will lead you to a place of isolation from family, friends, and into the desert.  Yet, what’s so remarkable God is greater than the desert we enter.  God spoke to Jacob in a dream about his life.  (Genesis 28:10-15)  God will give us dreams and visions to follow, so we run after Him. 

 

Nevertheless, God’s transforming us through the process so the dream turns into a reality. 

Before our weekly Bible study my husband and I were sharing with our pastor about a house we wanted to buy.  We couldn’t wait to place our offer on it but it wouldn’t be until the following day.  As our Bible class got started, I was trying to find a passage of Scripture on my phone to share, I forgot my Bible.  So, I went into the sanctuary to get a Bible, so I could read it.  As I was walking back into the class, I found a dollar bill inside.  My facial expression looked confusing to my husband but he didn't inquire.  So, I walked over to my pastor, I slid the dollar near his hand.  I wasn’t focused on the dollar bill but the Word.  When pastor looked at it he said, “Tina, this if for you!”  Read what’s on the dollar bill.  It read, “You have been blessed.”  At that moment my heart was rejoicing!  God’s promise was upon me!  Nevertheless, it hasn’t been an easy journey to get to the blessing but it’s been worth it.

Jacob had to learn how to handle the blessings before he could inherit the promise.  It was a journey started with an encounter with God at Bethel, training under his father-in-law, and eventually lead to his promised destination.  Jacob’s promised destination was his homeland.  God’s always on the road to bring reconciliation to our life’s but we have to confront "our Esau." Oh, we don’t want to confront Esau!  It’s a reminder of who we deceived, hurt, and painful memories of the past.  Keep in mind several years have passed, Esau and Jacob have married and have children.  Yet, Rebekah never called back for Jacob, it was God who led him back. 

It’s not always easy to close the door of our past but we must if we want to enter the future.  Jacob’s fear brought him to his knees; Esau was coming with an army of men.  So, Jacob prepares for the worst, he divides his flocks, herds, camels, and his family.  If we truly want the blessings of God, we must understand an important fact-they come with a price.  Are you willing to pay the price for the blessing?  What if God asks you to make amends with your family?  Or work for your father-in-law’s business?  If we want the blessings of God, we have to walk where God instructs us.  Or are we really willing to to wrestle in prayer for a night?  Jacob wanted God’s protection, promise, and provision for his family but he had to be changed to receive it.  Read Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32:9-12. 

Humility causes us to realize we don't have the power to change the circumstances, we have to seek the Lord.  If our circumstances cause us to fall upon our knees; we are in position for victory.  

Jacob went to a place called Jabbok (which means wrestle) to be alone in the dark.  So, what's causing darkness to enter your life?  Do you feel alone in this dark hour?  When the night is cold, dark, and tiresome it's time to wrestle with God!  Each day is filled with new opportunity, to grow deeper in our relationship with God, and to receive God's blessing but we have to be in position.
  
All of Jacob's thoughts were worrisome, coming to face his mistakes, and the responsibility of protecting of his family weighted heavy upon him.  He sent his family and possessions ahead of him, he wanted to be alone.  He was trying to make plans without consulting God's will or remembering what God promised.  Being alone with God is so vital; he learn how to wrestle in prayer until he touched God.  So, many questions, so many doubts, and burdens would be lifted if we learned to seek God until peace is found.  It seems we no longer what to pray through; we just what a "bless you."   If we truly want to be blessed or favored of God, we must be changed.  Our heart must be so hungry for God we will wrestle until daybreak.  Light comes only when we receive the light! 

Yet, it's at daybreak, we realize God was always present!  He was with us during our darkest night!  He didn't leave our side, He was so close.  Although our desperation caused us to fall upon our knees; we arise walking in blessing for touching Him.  Jacob's identity was change; he had a new name-Israel which means "triumphant with God."  Dreams are God's handiwork to drive us to hunger for His will but the greatest change is our heart.  It's only when we allow God to change our lives, our enemies can't touch us.  No matter if the past is brought up, it doesn't define who I am.  Nevertheless, the true change of my life will be evident when we met, our enemies will see our blessings.  How do we know Jacob was really changed?  Jacob’s hands wanted to give a blessing to his brother, he returned what he stole. 

End of the Desert

If I were to give a round trip ticket to any destination of your choice, where would you go?  Maybe Paris, France!  Or how about an Alaskan trip to see the Northern Lights?  Truth be told, I am not sure anyone would pick the destination of a desert.  If so, I would truly question their mental state.  Why would you want to go to the desert?  It’s incredibly hot!  No quick place to find shelter except in a cave or near a camp fire.  It’s a tiresome walk alone!  No matter where you look or walk it’s bleak, barren, and seems completely lifeless.  All of God's greatest warriors had to walk through the desert to inherit their promise.

Yet, if we truly desire to grow in Christ, we can’t escape the desert.

Sometimes, we wonder if the tests and trials of this life are producing anything.  Or what’s the purpose of all of this?  Is the promise really worth waiting for?  As we try to take another step in the tiresome heat, we grow faint from exhaustion.  Where is God?  Where is He leading me?  Doesn’t He see that my enemy is chasing me! 

Trials do have an end!  Although it may look bleak upon ever turn, God’s still directing your life.  The prophetic promise upon your life isn’t going to be destroyed because the enemy is pursing you.  If anything the tactics of the enemy are being used to prepare your life to take hold of it.  When God truly calls someone’s life; everyone is aware of the anointing upon you.  It can’t be hidden or disguised in your life if God is truly your hearts pursuit.   David’s family saw the oil poured upon his head, the call placed upon his life, and didn’t understand his purpose.  Although David’s fame was recorded for defeating Goliath, his fame wouldn't usher him to the inherit the throne.   

"Isn't this the David the they sang about in their dances: " 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?" (I Samuel 29:5) 

If we are to have victory in our lives, we just rely on past victories.  We have to keep relying on the name of the Lord.  Goliath wasn't David's only enemy to defeat, he faced several others before his prophetic calling was fulfilled.  David's enemies wasn't just Goliath or the Philistines, this enemy was someone personal, a member of his family.  David had to try a different strategy to defeat Saul, he had to wait upon the Lord.  David never attacked Saul with vengeance or try to remove the kingdom, although it belong to him.  David was able to defeat Saul because he keep the Lord as His refuge, so his enemy was never able to corner him.  

Although Saul savagely pursued to take David's life; it tested the heart of David in the midst of the desert.  David had to learn how to inquire of the Lord, rest in promised Word, and keep walking when no one is praising your name.  

Besides chasing David in the heat of the desert, he brought 3,000 chosen men to hunt him for four years. (I Samuel 24:1-2)  Another four years David dwelt in Ziglag to avoid Saul's plot, he was working for the enemies-Philistines. (I Samuel 27:1)  No matter where David would run, someone would send word to Saul, so the pursuit would continue.  How do you not lose heart in the heat of the desert?  The desert doesn’t cover the earth; it has an END.  As the finish line blows through the breeze; it awaits to be crossed.  It will only break the moment your feet has crossed it.

Yet, even in the midst of the desert, God will not allow the enemy to have the upper hand.  He will protect your life in the cleft of the rock.  Jesus was FULL OF THE SPIRIT and LED BY THE SPIRIT into the desert after fasting for forty days. (Matthew 4:1)  If the Spirit is leading you into the desert; He will bring you out of it.  The testing of desert did end, the devil was defeated, and Jesus was strengthened after. (Matthew 4:11)

 Besides being David’s father-in-law, Saul, was king of Israel.  Saul had the complete power and authority to destroy David; this was his motive.  It would be nervous enough to have one man to chase you down.  How about 3,000 men chasing you in the desert?  How quickly could you find a refuge?  Or how fast could you out-run them?  Besides being outnumbered, they were trained to disintegrate a person, I would be scared out of my mind.   However, God gave David a perfect view of the situation in 1 Samuel 24:1-10) 

What do you do when your enemy has your back against the wall of the cave?  Wait until God brings your enemy into perfect view!  Saul was reliving himself in the opening of the cave.  Saul was vulnerable, without a weapon, a plan, and only a man.  He couldn’t destroy David who was hiding in the cave; He was secure in the rock. 

    Trials do have an ending point but we don’t know the length; only God does.  However it’s important to keep your spirit right in the desert.  The desert will not only test your character; it will test your heart to keep believing God and His Word.  Don’t allow the enemies whisper rob your prophetic destiny; the desert does END.  Only by Encountering God will you have the power to endure, rest in knowing it will Never destroy God’s purpose, and Deliverance is promised through God.

IN THE MIDDLE OF ZIKLAG

Have you ever heard the expression, "I am stuck between a rock and a hard place?"  I am not sure who spoke this famous phrase but it's has been a familiar location in my life once or twice.  Sometimes, I have wondered, "How am I going to get out of this one?"  As we clearly evaluate our surroundings, we have looked at ALL our options but we see no clear solution in sight.  With no clear direction for our problems, we begin to allow the spirit of fear to overcome us.  No matter what direction we turn, it seems as life is going to stay in the middle of Ziklag.

 As the oil is poured over David's head, I wonder what he thought of Samuel's prophetic word over his life.  Was he afraid?  Did he feel insecure?  Was he shocked?  Scripture doesn't record David's feelings on the matter.  Nevertheless, David wasn't aware of God's calling or Samuel's purpose to his house, he was faithfully attending the sheep.  David's calling was confirmed through the prophet Samuel, witnessed in front of his family, and a promised word waiting to be fulfilled.  When the Spirit of God calls us to serve the body of Christ it will be confirmed through the Word and the witness of the church.  It's never goes any other way! The call of God is always with a promise and everything in your life will be used for preparation.  David's reign as king wasn't instantaneous, so he was being prepared the moment the oil was poured.  The anointing separated him for God's work, empowered him, and left a promise waiting to be fulfilled. (I Samuel 16:13)

With only a promise and a life changing experience, David returns to be a shepherd under his father to start his preparation.  First, David had to learn the PURPOSE of a leader-it's risking your life to save others. Second, he had to learn the call doesn't come without a BATTLE, the enemy will use different weapons to wage war. (Lion/Bears) (I Samuel 17:34)  Third, he had to learn WHO to trust in this battles; it wasn't in his own abilities and he couldn't rely on others-he had to learn to trust God.  Next, he had to personal experience God's miraculous deliverance, so he gained confidence of WHAT he believes.  As his past experiences TAUGHT him, he could run towards his enemy to overtake him. (1 Samuel 17:48)

In Ziklag, David faces opposition not from his enemies but his followers - they want to kill him.  Once the "popular boy" the city sang praises about, he is now a wanted man by the king.  As the king hunting pursues David for eight years in the desert, he nearly lost it all.  He has no homeland, no close friendship, and no normal way of life, so he finds escape in the enemies camp.  David serves as a bandit under the Philistine army, he serves faithfully to destroy the Amalekites.  David was so faithful to the mission of the Philistine's he would destroy everything in sight: men, women, children, and keep the livestock.  (I Samuel 27:8-9)  So to add salt to injury, the Philistine rulers have convinced the king to dismiss David from the next assignment because of their fear of him. "Isn't this the David they sang about in their dances: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens thousands?"

"It's not easy to wait for God's promised to be fulfilled especially when the enemies taunt us with their songs.  If we long to be fulfill God's call upon our lives, we have to willing to go through the desert.  The desert experience will cause us to feel "pressed down" or "winding" (the meaning of Ziklag) with no shelter, resources, or anyone except God alone.  Moses was led into the desert for forty years, David was wandering for eight years, and Jesus was LED by the spirit to the desert before his earthly ministry began.(Matthew 4:1)  It can be an uncomfortable experience but it's can't be passed. It can only be passed as Jesus said, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that come from the mouth of God.' (Matthew 4:4)  As David and his men arrive in Ziklag, they are expecting the joyful reunion of their families, the comforts of home, and peace.  Instead of joyful reunion the men are distressed with sorrow, they have no strength left to weep. (I Samuel 30:4)  No comfort of home or possible future ahead, it's burned to the ground and their families taken.

 We have to learn, Gods Word is sufficient in our lives. It has the power to transform, empower, and to encourage us. David had to learn to STRENGTHEN himself in the Lord. David had to draw from the SOURCE of his life, God was enough to deliver him. David had a mob of men wanting to kill him, so he couldn't seek for their wisdom or support.  He wasn't going to find the support of the sheep, His support was His Shepherd.  Only in Ziklag could David learn a valuable lesson God is ENOUGH!  Yet, in all of this God had mercy upon David because his enemies didn't destroy him or his family.  Also, David and his men were dismissed from the army before anything worse could have happened.  David had men who desired to murder him, so what's are you facing today?

What are you facing in the middle of your Ziklag?  Are you standing in the middle of ashes with no hope, support, or shelter?  Are you questioning if God's promise will come to pass?  If all you have is a promise of God; it's all you need.  Besides Ziklag meaning "pressed down" or "winding" it also mean's fortress. ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/ziklag/)  You are not without HOPE!  Call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be saved!  As David inquired of the Lord, He found his fortress who strengthened him, answered him, and led the way to destroy the enemies plot.  Not only did David get his family back but everything the enemy took from him. (1 Samuel 30:19)  So, if you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, it's ok!  The rock is all you need to stand secure.

Against All Hope

What’s so wonderful about God’s Word, it preserves us during difficult times.  Difficult times will come to us, life can be very challenging.  Usually during those moments, we begin to question if we are going in the right direction.  Although we heard God clearly, we walked according to His direction but its looks like a dead end.   As we stand in the midst of the wilderness our hearts grow faint, we can’t see the vision as clearly.  Regardless of what direction we turn, we hit a dead end with no signs pointing which direction to take.  It seems hope is losing her light, so start to listen to the voice of the night, “The promise will never come” or “You failed too many times; God’s not going to fulfill it.” As we look around us, it does seem everything is against us.  We being to question, “Will God ever fulfill His promise to me?”

 Our faith in God is what will steady us or bring us to the fulfillment of the promise.  “Without faith it is impossible to please God, we must believe that he exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)  What kind of faith pleases God?  Jesus is looking for faith on the earth; do we have what He is searching for?  Faith is more than “believing” God exists, it’s a confidence in the person of God.  Abraham was credit for righteousness for simply his faith in God.  Yet, we need to understand the power of faith, so we can receive what God has promised. 

     Abraham received a promise from God, “He would be the father of many nations” but it wasn’t fulfilled until very late in life.  In fact, Abraham was over 100 years old before this promise was fulfilled.  According to Romans 4:18-22, Abraham considered the facts of the situation: it was against all hope for the promise to come.  Would this child come to him?  In the physical: Abraham was too old, his body was dead.  As Abraham looked at Sarah for hope, it was lost because her womb was closed.  The facts didn’t look very promising but Abraham didn’t allow it to weaken His faith, he believed in God.   We can consider the facts but we need to be confident in the Lord.  Abraham was a friend of God, so he was confident in the person of God. 

     Satan desires for us to grow weak in our faith, so we will give up.  He will whisper doubt into your heart but resist him by shouting the promise of God.  Write the promise on the tablet of your heart, so faith will arise.  Faith comes only by hearing and hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)  If we are to move the mountains, we have to be confident in the Rock.  A relationship with God will sustain us in the pilgrimage.  God’s is still our present help, His power will deliver us.  When all hope seems bleak, God has the greatest opportunity to perform the miracle.  We can’t fulfill His promise; we have to allow God to do it.  Our hearts may grow weary; strengthen it by nourishing it with the Word.  Although Abraham didn't have the written Word, he received a spoken Word from God.  In either case, God will complete it even if we failed the test.  Abraham obeyed God’s direction but he failed God during the waiting period.  Abraham and Sarah became very impatient, so they decided to have a child with another woman, Hagar.  When the child was born, it brought heartache and discord into the house.  So much in fact, Sara removed Hagar and Ishmael out of the house.   Also, it split a nation.  So, it’s worth waiting for God’s hand to bring it to fulfillment.    Yet, he didn't stop believing God's spoken promise to his life.

     The power of God hasn't changed, we can rest assured God will supply everything we need.  Although we haven’t seen the promised fulfilled in the physical, glorify God that it’s coming.  If we want to move the hand of God, we have to move the heart of God.  Our confidence in His power and His promise will get God’s attention.  Our faith is what He is looking for.  It’s a faith unwilling to yield to doubt or unbelief, it believes although it’s against all hope.