January 15th – “Up!”
Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?” Judges 4:14
If you are going to discover something new, you are going to need some direction as to where you should look. In our contemporary society, we often interpret movement as the opposite of stagnation and thus movement is considered to be advancement along the right path. However, it is important to note that movement does not always equate to progress. Just because you are moving, does not mean you are moving in the right direction. Likewise, you could be moving, but moving in circles. And reversely you could be moving but ultimately be missing the mark.
In Judges Chapter 4, the children of Israel are caught up in a cycle of oppression due to their sinful ways. They are dealt a heavy hand with their enemies who ruthlessly subdue them. Whenever they cried out to God for deliverance, He raised up a leader for them in the form of a judge. In order to secure their victory, God instructs them through the prophetess Deborah to advance in battle. “Up” is the direction in which they are to move.
Direction precedes Discovery. God’s direction to His children is often to go UP. Whether it was to a certain land or summit, discovering the next level of victory required obedience – God’s leading. Today your battles may not include the conquest of specific territories, but there is still an upward movement you are to follow and to possess what is yours. Maybe you’ve been moving in circles, running around the same block and nothing has changed. You believe, you’ve been waiting, but you still haven’t experienced the outcome you’re hoping for. Direction makes the difference. To ensure that you do not miss His Word of direction, you have to be postured to receive it. Then once you receive that Word you need to be faithful to obey it, not allowing your flesh to get in the way.
Fasting is a time when you become especially sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit who will guide you to go UP. When you Fast, you submit yourself to the direction of the Holy Spirit who leads you to discover and experience new realities. In your prayer life, study of the Word, worship and in your giving, you need to go UP. It’s time to get uncomfortable with the routines and rituals and go where you have not been before. If the Holy Spirit wakes you up in the middle of the night to pray, GET UP. If you are being urged to share the word, SPEAK. Where God calls you to serve in ministry, SUBMIT. Make the stretch and arise. Discovery is waiting on the other side.
Reflect: How will you go UP in your prayer life, study of the Word, time of worship and with your giving?
Prayer: Father, I thank you for me the directing me through the Holy Spirit. I surrender to your leading so that I may discover you and go UP. In Jesus’ name – Amen!
Written by Deborah Nimoh
Recent Comments