Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

“You will have favor; you will not go out empty-handed . . .” Exodus 3:21-22 & 11:2

“The LORD shall fight for you, while you hold your peace.” Exodus 14:14 (MEV)

In the midst of a thing, there are times when we need to quiet down so as not to utter anything that might allow the thief (John 10:10) entrance. When Job reiterated the same fear based prayer (as opposed faith based prayer) day after day concerning his children (Job 1:4-5), such doubt (a cohort of the devil sent to usher in fear which is the opposite of faith), gave way to just enough of an opening or hole (so to speak) in the hedge around him allowing the work of the evil one that reaps misery. In turn, such instigated further negative speak from both Job and his three “friends” who supposedly came to comfort him; and there was also Job’s wife who thought nothing of attempting to encourage him to “Curse God and die!” Job 2:9b (NIV). Perhaps needless to say, a significant number of us have been in the presence of such well-intentioned friends & family. However, the young man – Elihu refuted such speak (Job 32 through Job 37) before God spoke to Job (Job 38 through Job 41). To believe that God Who is Love would essentially tell the devil to go ahead and have at His faithful servant (except unto death) is akin to being double-minded. For if you believe that God is Love (1 John 4:16) and that He never changes (1 Samuel 15:29, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17), anything contrary to that characterization, relative to those who have the favor of God, would be a lie from the father of lies (John 8:44). Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”. Therefore, it is through the continual or ongoing renewal of the mind by the Teaching of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-26 & 16:13), that we strengthen faith (steadfast confidence) in the knowledge that we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ Jesus (Romans 8:17) by the finished work of Jesus the Anointed One. Therefore, faith stands with feet firmly planted, sight unseen (Hebrews 11:1) through to the manifestations thereof. Such requires knowing the will of God as delineated in His Word as well as knowing the character of God which is also our DNA (Genesis 1:26-27); for it is via comprehension of the character of God Who is Love and His always good will for our lives, that we may discern the whispers aligned with the way of God. Of such comes the familiarity necessary to be still and control the tongue. Although, having been trained in the way of the world, such times may not be easily recognized. However, as our personal relationship with Abba Father through Christ Jesus develops, so too our sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. However, such prompting is to be followed by doing; it is comprehension and application (James 1:22) that God’s power may move effectively through us as willing vessels. God desires those made His sons and daughters by the Blood to stand in the gap and make-up the hedge. The Living Word told us to have the God kind of faith (Mark 11:22-24); faith exhibits confidence that God hears us (1 John 5:14-15); faith speaks the desired result in the way of the Lord Jesus Who came to show us exactly how to give a faith command (Matthew 21:19-22; Mark 4:39).

Speak the promise . . . Harriet