When I hear sermons about the end times and listen to talk about how things are getting worse and that the future for our country is bleak, I’m not going to lie, it has sparked fear in me and leaves me feeling unsettled. I mean I realize that the world’s political and economic climates are not good. There are wars and rumors of wars, there’s famine, there’s unusual and catastrophic weather patterns...all things that are mentioned in the Bible as signs of the end of the age.
We live in a time where there’s a complete disregard for God’s word; what is evil is said to be good and what is good is said to be evil. God, and all things related to Him, is made to be mocked in entertainment in the name of freedom. Laws are in place to aid a woman in killing her unborn child in the name of choice. Of course why shouldn’t God just allow us all to suffer through the worst of tribulation right now?
Some people in the church say that we are in the end and it’s only going to get worse, Prepare, get your affairs in order, stockpile food, build an underground shelter, stow away cash. I find this talk to be heavy and grim and it just doesn't sit well in my spirit. Is the church supposed to just hunker down?
Some people in the church say that we are in the end and it’s only going to get worse, Prepare, get your affairs in order, stockpile food, build an underground shelter, stow away cash. I find this talk to be heavy and grim and it just doesn't sit well in my spirit. Is the church supposed to just hunker down?
A few days ago I read this post from global worship leader Sean Feucht. In his excitement he shares about what God’s doing in manifesting his dreams of worship and using him and many others to usher in the Presence of the Lord around the globe. He is encouraged in these times, seeing God moving and touching so many hearts and bringing forth miracles and salvations in so many parts of the world.
What a juxtaposition of outlooks on the exact same times. I thought on all of this and I felt the Lord whisper in my spirit,
“Find your place in it.”
Aren’t we, as lovers of the Most High, supposed to keep our eyes on Him believing and contending for His Kingdom while making a difference with our lives on this earth? We are to change atmospheres and ignite passion for the Lord. Now I’m not saying that getting prepared for bad times is wrong, we are to be aware of the times and the seasons. But sometimes I feel that there can be this spirit of hunkering down and doom and gloom and plans for fleeing that bother me. God help me to find a balance between wisdom and preparation and being completely focused on You, sold out and on fire and believing the best because you can do anything....help me to find my place in this.
Queen Esther comes to mind and how she was used to save the lives of thousands.
A young Jewish girl, Esther went to the palace of the Persian king by force, one of up to 1400 young women taken from their homes and all that they knew so the king could find a new wife. Hiding her true identity as a Jew, Esther found herself in a situation where she could have just been someone who the king slept with once and forgot about, left to live life as a lonely concubine, but God’s hand was on Esther and she was made queen, placing her in a position of influence before trouble came so she could be used of God to save her people from an evil plot of annihilation. When the plot to destroy the Jews was set into motion, her uncle sent her word from outside the palace walls imploring her to use her influence with the king to beg mercy for the Jews, reminding her that she may have come into her royal position for such a time as this.
A young Jewish girl, Esther went to the palace of the Persian king by force, one of up to 1400 young women taken from their homes and all that they knew so the king could find a new wife. Hiding her true identity as a Jew, Esther found herself in a situation where she could have just been someone who the king slept with once and forgot about, left to live life as a lonely concubine, but God’s hand was on Esther and she was made queen, placing her in a position of influence before trouble came so she could be used of God to save her people from an evil plot of annihilation. When the plot to destroy the Jews was set into motion, her uncle sent her word from outside the palace walls imploring her to use her influence with the king to beg mercy for the Jews, reminding her that she may have come into her royal position for such a time as this.
Esther found that her place in the situation was one of influence in the king's court and she was used mightily.
I believe that we have the very same position of influence. Although our influence is not with an earthly king, but in the courts of heaven with the King of Kings. We can come boldly before His throne and intercede on behalf of our nation and beg mercy for those who live outside the King's chambers. We can see relief and deliverance come to a nation if we choose not to remain silent.
Esther got herself focused and trusted God in prayer. She stepped out, used her gifts, and the way God made her...special and fitted for that time and place. The Bible says that God decides the times and places of our days. God gave her favor, wisdom and protection. She came into her destiny in the worst of times. Although it wasn't easy and took amazing courage, especially in revealing that she herself was a Jew, Esther was willing to even give up her own life to fulfill her purpose in the palace. She found her place in it and changed the destiny of her people.
Esther got herself focused and trusted God in prayer. She stepped out, used her gifts, and the way God made her...special and fitted for that time and place. The Bible says that God decides the times and places of our days. God gave her favor, wisdom and protection. She came into her destiny in the worst of times. Although it wasn't easy and took amazing courage, especially in revealing that she herself was a Jew, Esther was willing to even give up her own life to fulfill her purpose in the palace. She found her place in it and changed the destiny of her people.
So I look to Esther's example, a regular girl placed in a position of influence during volatile times, given extraordinary favor to fulfill God's purpose and bring deliverance to a nation.
My prayer today is, Lord help me to find my place in these times. Help me to be myself, using the gifts you've given me, grant me extraordinary favor to fulfill your purpose in this earth, and even bring deliverance to a nation.
Help me to take up my position of influence for such a time as this.
Help me to take up my position of influence for such a time as this.
Is this your first visit to Freedom Friday?
We're embracing freedom each Friday here in 2012.
We're embracing freedom each Friday here in 2012.
Click here for a list of the other posts in the series.
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