Lately I’ve been hearing this verse in my spirit over and over again from the Book of Joel. I truly believe that right now we are in a time of restoration where God is setting His people in place for and explosion of blessing.
Joel 2:23-27
Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the Lord your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you. The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month.
The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame.
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.
I. Coming Out Stronger
All of these locusts! Mercy. The ones that crawl, consume and chew! Well, God is bringing all that to an end at this time. God knows how to kindle a refiners fire. (Mal. 3:2-2) I?m sure there are many out there who have experienced this. As much as we like to pin hardships on the devil there are times where God allows us to go through some things for our own good even though He works all things for our good.
The process is not always all that enjoyable. But in that place of difficulty we learn to dig deeper where there are springs in the desert. (Psalm 107:35, Isaiah 43:19) I love this passage because it clearly make it known that no matter what is going on we always have access to the Presence of God. How much more after all that Jesus has done?!
Now we are the temples of the Holy Spirit where we can drink continually of the waters of life – even being satisfied to the full. (1 Cor. 6:19) When we’ve been digging for years we come out much stronger. Then when that resistance is lifted, when that season is over, we are amazed at just how much easier things become. Our spiritual muscles have been taken to another level. God is all about our growth. Healthy things grow.
II. Increase & Blessing in this New Season
God is bringing a season to a close in order to bring forth a new season of fullness of blessing in His people. What is the recipe for this new season as you transition into that new place God has prepared for you?
Matthew 6:33
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
Our persistence in seeking the Lord is the main thing – just as it always should be. He is our satisfaction. He is our everything.
In this new seasons your position makes a difference. God has new assignments for people, new geographical spots for placement and fresh grace for the new season. Don’t resist that which challenges you but rather embrace that which is new to you.
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding.”
What worked in the old season is not the formula for the new season so make sure to get out of the box of your head having everything figured out. Things typically don’t happen the same way twice.
III. Revival Breakthrough!
God is ready to pour out revival breakthrough in this new season. That breakthrough begins in you. Don?t look for it on the outside but on the inside. Find like hearts and minds that you can find synergy with to facilitate greater breakthroughs by the Spirit. While we do experience a measure of breakthrough on our own, the greater measure is experienced as we come together! It is the like-mindedness in unity where it becomes and exponential breakthrough.
Go for God?s glory! The good is the enemy of the best. There are lots of ?good? things going on, but the glory of God is the BEST! PERIOD! What is the glory? The manifested weighty ?kabod? and Presence of God – even Jesus. That is heaven on earth. The atmosphere of heaven is the glory. Don?t settle for a drip of His Presence – get saturated!
What does this verse in Joel promise? The rain, fullness of provision, new wine and the oil. This is both spiritual and natural blessing that God is pouring out. This is a time of plenty, a time of harvest and a time of brightness of countenance where God reveals Himself as the glory and the lifter of your head. No more shame only the fullness of His rain!
IV. Fresh Joy in the Spirit
God really wants to bring JOY into the church. The joy of the Lord is our strength. There is joy in the Presence of God. He does not leave His people without it. If you are not experiencing His joy realize it is not by your works but by the blood of Christ that you are able to enter in to His Presence. You are not called to heaviness and oppression but lightness and joy!
Psalms 105:43
“He brought out His people with joy,
His chosen ones with gladness.”
This is our reality in Christ. Put your faith in the blood of Jesus. Enter in to His glory and receive His joy, peace, grace, love and all of the blessings of His Spirit! It will not only affect your heart but will have a physical affect as well. All of His goodness is received by faith. You believe and receive. There are no works to it. Hunger and thirst for God. Seek His face. Receive His grace in that place.
God has come to bring fullness of restoration now. Not tomorrow. He is getting the ball rolling now – even for you as you trust in Him. Feed on His faithfulness. Faith is now. Agree with God. Say yes!
We?ve also entered into the new year on the Jewish calendar. There is a new season upon us so let faith and expectancy increase as you enter into a greater measure of the goodness of God for your life!
This was so very encouraging to me thank you! Some of it spoke to my exact situation as I prepare to move geographically and the things that have come up in my heart through it. Helps me to know I heard Him and I?m on track. So exciting and a time of new hope and freedom. Thank you!
Amen
Shift
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Jesus in Your name!!!
Such powerful words! This message has lifted my heart and renewed and refreshed my spirit. Newness..say yes..look up with your hands opened unto God Our Heavenly Father who hears our faintest cry and loves us eternally! God’s richest blessings..His peace and comfort. Hallelujah! Glory!
Absolutely Yes to that!