Political correctness, new cultural norms and social pressure is trying to reshape the very fabric of the church to be conformed to this world instead of being the transformative force we are called to be by the renewing of our minds by God’s word. (Romans 12:2)
Without the Word of God as our basis of truth, the church is doomed to fail. The enemy wants us to Crack under the pressure! Crack doctrinally, morally and spiritually. The Scripture says that the enemy is like a ‘roaring lion’ seeking the weak out to see whom he can devour. I believe that is true in this generation more than ever before.
The enemy has loosed a spirit of seduction, deception and intimidation against the church that, if we are not strong, will cause our very foundations to crumble. Hebrews 12 says that everything that can be shaken will be and all I have to say is that there is a whole lot of shaking going on right now! It goes on to say that only the things of the kingdom will remain and stand.
I believe it is the job of the apostolic and prophetic to lay true foundations in the church (Ephesians 2:20) so that the church in this generation will withstand the heat and pressure that is coming against it today. Without that I’m afraid the church is destined to lapse into apostasy rather than awakening and revival.
In 1 Samuel 30 we see the Story of David at Ziglag. We know that David had been on a long journey to fulfill his prophesied destiny of kingship. And if David gave up now, then all of his sacrifices up to that point would have been for nothing. At Ziglag, the Amalekites attacked and robbed David and David’s men of all that was precious in their lives.
The Amalekite spirit is indicative of a viscous, violent spirit of robbery. The enemy’s attack was not a direct one, to kill David, but rather an indirect one, to hurt and take what he most cared about. The plan was to make him Crack and give up on his destiny. The pressure grew greater.
Even David’s loyal men, out of their grief, began to turn on David and blame him. They even contemplated killing him. These were desperate times and David had a decision to make. Will I give in to what is happening in hopelessness, despair or will I attack back!? David did the wise thing and inquired of the Lord and the answer was clear and emphatic…
Pursue, overtake, attack, take back and recover all! I believe this is the same answer that the Lord is decreeing to the church today!
Don’t Lose your Confidence
What is the enemy trying to steal from you today? Here are a few things that I prophetically see. He desperately wants to steal your confidence. David’s confidence in himself, his men and God was shaken by what had taken place. He had been through so much and in his life and became disheartened. The enemy wants to shake your confidence. You must be bold and believe for the great things God has promised you.
Don’t Lose Your Peace
The enemy attacked David’s family and those who were in covenant with him in order to confuse David and hit him where it hurts. When something like that happens, it can cause us to react emotionally, but David was able to calm himself and seek God and receive the word he needed to hear in order to continue to advance toward his destiny.
The enemy wants to rattle your cage and get you off your game but don’t let him. Scripture declares, “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan underneath your feet” (Romans 16:20). We pursue the Lord first so that we can pursue our enemy with confidence and take back all that he has stolen! God’s Peace will allow you to hear His voice and guide you to Victory.
Don’t Lose your Hope
Hopelessness is a direct attack against the nature of God. When resources are stolen and we feel powerless to see change, we can sink down into a state of hopelessness. The enemy wants to rob our hope: to see things change, to regain our possessions, for our family, or our purpose and power. But we must not give into the hopelessness the enemy is promoting to us and understand that Christ in us is the very Hope of Glory and the Banner of Victory to bring the change God wants. We must not shrink back in despair but rise up in Hope and Faith to Attack and Take it all back.
Don’t Turn Back
Scripture instructs us to advance forward in our calling and to be more like Jesus. It exhorts us not to turn back to our old life or the rudimentary ways of this world. The enemy’s strategy is multifaceted, but I believe one of his most insidious attacks involves the church turning back at the very time we are called to advance. I’m reminded of the children of Israel’s call out of captivity and on to the promise land.
At the crucial moment of their journey they retreated instead of moving forward into the promise and God was not pleased. All they had worked for was forfeited at the Jordon River. But why? We know they spied out the land and perceived themselves to be like grasshoppers in the sight of the giants of the land and chose not to go in. They even chose a leader to take them back to Egypt. Can you imagine?
The New Testament describes it this way,“For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said. “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. For who, having heard, rebelled?” (Hebrews 3:14).
Then it goes on to describe how they came out of Egypt. All but two of them knew of God’s disappointment and anger because of their unbelief. It was a breach of promise. How could that happen? How could they not believe the God who had delivered, blessed them and destroyed their enemies? To the point that they rebelled against His word and promise and lost out on their prophesied destiny? Where did all this start? How and why did they harden their hearts in unbelief?
