Blessings, Family,
As we come into another Passover season, I can’t help but reflect on the last couple of years of my journey. I have definitely felt the weight of transition in my life. Maybe you’ve felt it, too. Change is coming.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.”—Isaiah 43:19-21 NIV
We celebrate Passover (Pesach) to remember that it was our Father God who led us out of Egypt, the land of slavery to sin, and set us on the path to the Promised Land. We celebrate the Seder to remind ourselves that it was by God’s power alone that He did this. Moses and Aaron didn’t have any superpowers, and the staff was just a piece of wood.
God could have easily put the Egyptians to sleep and walked Israel right out of the gates. Instead, He hardened Pharoah’s heart, making things very difficult. He brought horrible plagues on the people and the land. He finally killed all the firstborn of those without the lambs’ blood on their doorposts before His people were free to go. And the Lord himself was their leader and their rearguard.
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.”—Exodus 12:12 NIV
But that was just the beginning. Sin pursued them into the desert, and once again God made a way for them to escape the enemy’s wrath, through the water of the Red Sea, overwhelming the enemy in the deep. But that wasn’t the end of the journey, either.
God caused His chosen people to wander in the wilderness until the old generation (followers of the flesh) were dead and buried, and a new generation who knew only to follow and trust All Mighty God emerged. Only then were they allowed to enter into the Promised Land.
We must be reminded of this every year. Reminded that it is by God’s power alone that we are called out of sin, and by His might that we emerge triumphant through the trials He sets before us to grow our faith in Him. His hand turns the handle on the rock tumbler that polishes us into objects of beauty that reflect His glory.
As the early Israelites, we too must pass through the blood and the water.
“For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”–1 John 5:7-8
But that is only to prepare us for the journey ahead. To have the honor of watching God work on our behalf as we face the challenges of the wilderness. That is where our faith is grown. That is where we truly see that it is not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God that we enter into the Promised Land and take back all the enemy has stolen. How long we remain in the wilderness is up to us.
After fifteen years in ministry, I am still in the wilderness, on the banks of the River Jordan. I’m being prepared to take my territory. The many surgeries I’ve had in the last two years have not made things easy for me, yet, whenever the spirit of guilt comes calling, I hear the Lord clearly saying, Relax.
Things are changing, and I feel it so strongly some days it’s all I can do to breath. I feel like I need to be doing so much more, and yet God says, Relax. I’m amazed by how difficult this is for me, but I’m learning.
The dreams and visions I’ve had lately have involved the church, but they’ve also been very personal regarding my participation in what is coming. Perhaps you have been experiencing the same thing? If so, know that you are not alone.
The Lord has shown me that in this time of transition, He is preparing His people, those whose hearts are completely surrendered to Him, for the next level, teaching and equipping us for our assignments. For some, this means coming out of Egypt, for others it means surviving the probation of the wilderness, and for still others, the taking of their assigned territories.
So, what should we do during this transition time? “Relax.” Keep moving forward in the path God has set before you. He will do the rest.
“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV
For me, this has meant working on the book assignment God has given me. This is The Demon Slayers Handbook.
This is a book/study that teaches readers about the Spirit Realm, demons, spiritual warfare, and how to work with the Holy Spirit to defeat suicide, addiction, and other demonic spirits bent on destroying them.
It’s taking every ounce of God’s grace to get me through the hurdles I’ve faced, including crippling pain, brain fog, job change, etc., etc. While it would be easy to give the enemy credit for these hurdles, I know that each one only makes me stronger in my faith and determination. So, I praise God for them.
I’m working on the revisions now, and the cover is in creation as well. I can’t wait to show you! I was shown in a dream that this book would take believers to another world, but I also know that it will make a lot of people very angry. I would very much appreciate your prayers for strength and peace as I complete and release this assignment, and I know I can count on you.
I want to encourage you all to press into the Lord and trust in Him completely.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”— 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV
Please, please, don’t try to anticipate what God is doing in this season. That is the quickest way to lose your faith. Surrender completely to the Holy Spirit, and lean on His grace, because we are being prepared to do things that will be impossible under our own power. Things only God can do. That is why we must keep our eyes and ears focused on Him, regardless of what is happening in the world.
If we are to participate in what is coming, we must truly become like children holding the hand of our Father, trusting Him completely. The best way to do this is through worship, so sing a new song to the Lord!
“Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.”—Psalm 149:1 NIV
God’s grace and peace be with you,
Rebecca
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