This word was brought to me over two days ago. Normally I get a quick download of what the Lord might be saying, but I have had to wait on this one… It is very deep and perhaps just now, I wont do it justice , but I am now ready to break some of it to you. May you find something to encourage your heart or something to grab hold of.
It is the first day of April 2020 and most people are shut in. We know this situation has had the effect of closing down monitoring and intervention services which I have played a pivotal part for over 20 years both as nurse, social worker and safeguarding manager and advisor. The plight of the homeless and those living in poverty of finance and general health and well-being has not escaped me and is most pressing at this time. As I write, I think of modern day slavery, child and domestic abuse situations where individuals will be more hidden and vulnerable at a time like this. All we can do is to plead for angelic provisions to drop into those homes, monitoring and giving divine oversight.
It is often only when you get on the other side of suffering that you can say with humility and resolve that ‘all things work together for good for those who are the called according to his purposes’ Romans 8:28 . I’ve been there…. At a time like this, we hold fast the word of faith. Without a shadow of a doubt.. (again from experience), our God is in control.
For the last month, the scripture Psalms 91 has been quoted so many times amongst the ecclesia, to bring comfort in this time of international need and global crisis . A time where many have lost loved ones and begin to despair for their own lives and livelihoods. It reads
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday
Psalms 91 : 1-6
For sure, there are good shadows and bad shadows, but He that dwells under the shadow of the good shepherd, will have everlasting habitation and safety in times of storm. The destruction has been wasting in the early morning, at noon day and in the middle of the night – time and tide has waited for no man. Without a shadow of a doubt, the best place to be right now is abiding under the shadow of the Almighty – sufficient is His arms alone and our defence is sure.
The Apostle Paul would say at a time like this, to ‘put on the whole armor of God and do all to stand. ( Ephesians 6:11&13) . No king, no president, no prime minister, no Pope, not even our beloved pastors, can visit, cover, nor protect us right now from this current situation. Without a shadow of a doubt, we need a Savior, who is Jesus.
Do you know Him?
Whether we like it or not, whether inside or out, all our grandiose ideas of the time we think we have allotted here on earth , or what we might do with it, is being challenged. Whether we think we are in charge of our own destinies or not, our very lives and eternal destinies, now hang in the balance.
We are spirit, soul and body, formed in his image , but the spirit and soul never dies; The Bible says , it is appointed unto man once to die, then afterwards the judgement. (Hebrews 9:27). Where will we spend eternity?
Both prince and pauper have been affected. The rug is being pulled from beneath our feet. We have been shadow boxing with an invisible enemy and this enemy means to make a clean sweep but leaving an undeniable foot print on all of our lives.
What we know also is that we are triparte beings formed in his image. Body, soul and spirit. We are three dimensional and multifaceted beings, having the Father, son and holy Spirt, working inherently on our behalf – if we but let them.
I am not a physicist or a scientist but, he who is wisdom works within to bring you good news.
The Bible says that the entrance of his word brings light without the shadow of a doubt, it is the word of God which illuminates the dark places of the earth and take us over into glory.
The ‘dark places of the earth’ are full of the habitations of cruelty. Psalms 74:20 . The world has been moved to pay attention to same by the current pandemic that is affecting many nations.
With the help of media projection we have seen those levels of cruelty metered out across our world, many in the name of advancement. We know these issues will multiply in the time of darkness and shut down. Without a shadow of a doubt something else is rocking the global boat.
These are dark times, dark days. There are dark places and dark shadows looming large. These opaque images are not new, but are mounting. They seek to use circumstances to deceive, curtail and limit life choices and chances. The knock that we thought we would never hear in our life time is even at the door. They scatter and seek to drain the life and light and substance out of a thing. These shadows neither transmit light nor allow light to shine in. They come in the form of mirages, dark foul spirits : the spirit of fear, the spirit of death and spirit of oppression , sickness , disease – physical diseases and diseases of the mind.
But the Lord would remind us that he is Lord over the light and over dark places of the earth. He has not given his children that spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind. We are the light of the world and when we abide in him there can be no shadow boxing or darkness. He reminds me whilst writing this piece, that His death on the cross was the place that God chose to reverse the projection of the shadows* that came into being from the ink spots ie the stain formed when Adam and Eve first sinned. For a moment in time – at Gethsemane , darkness did cover the earth, but history shows that it could not nor cannot hide the Son and He Triumphed and still reigns.
Without a shadow of a doubt the Truths of the Bible are being played out in front of our very eyes. The Lord would have me share ‘For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. The scriptures goes on to say
‘And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming”. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 onwards.
Darkness and gross darkness is on the land but Light is coming. Whilst we are waiting we are advised to
‘ be not soon shaken in mind, nor be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (see the whole of 2 Thessalonians 2:2) As the scripture says, this man will seek to sit in the temple of God seeking to deceive many with strong delusions, seeking to show himself as God and using lying wonders to deceive. Be watchful be vigilant and unto prayer.
The Lord would say, stay abiding under his perfect shadow. A thousand might fall at your side,and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with your eyes will you behold and see the reward of the wicked. This is because you made the LORD, your refuge, even the most High, your habitation and dwelling place and during your times of peril and pressure.
Evangelist Linda J April 2020
PRAYER
Father we thank you. We thank you because we know that at the entrance of your word light comes. You have not left us in darkness but you have given us information before the time so that we can make wise choices and remain covered under your wings. You know our frame, we were made in your image. We are multifaceted and multidimensional – a beautiful luminous work of your own art and it is not you who seeks to destroy us , at this time. You are touched by the feelings of our infirmities. You are in control . This covid, covert…..situation has not taken you by surprise.
We ask for your angelic intervention and oversight to homes and situations where that violent hand may take advantage and precedent. May you rule and reign in these situations; bring restraint and stay. Arrest the abuser, silence the accuser, by your Holy Spirit power.
We thank you, because you have made a way for all of us to escape and through the veil. We know that for those whose lives are hid in you death will have no sting and grave will have no victory. We know that some must die and have died …even our own dear loved ones. We ask for your mercy for all to know of you, before that fateful and final day.
May those of us who have covenanted with you, be found in you and under your wings. Until then, increase your wonder working power in us, your spirit of grace and truth. Give us increased faith to stand and wisdom to do well and of your bidding.
We declare that Corona will not oppress, overshadow us, or be our portion. Help us to lay hold on eternal life, looking for the joy and blessed crown, which has been set before us.
Without a shadow of a doubt we know you are on your way.
1st April 2020
*A shadow is a dark (real image) area where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. A shadow occupies all of the three dimensions behind an object with light in front of it. The cross section of any shadow is a two dimensional silhouette or a reverse projection of the object blocking the light. It is like a little reflection of your body on the ground as the light from the sun outlines your body to form it.