Unshakable
May 17, 2021
"Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made,
that the things which cannot be shaken may remain," Hebrews 12:27
Recently, we held a prayer and prophetic gathering for Watchmen concerned for our state. As we gathered, the Holy Spirit began to work profound agreement amongst us. The atmosphere in the room became filled with the power of revelation, and the sense of His Presence. A deep abiding grace fell upon all. In the middle of the summit, within five minutes of a session coming to an end, cell phones began erupting with warnings of an earthquake. A 4.7 earthquake had struck! The earthquake's epicenter was a stone's throw away from us. Aftershocks were recorded nearby, yet we felt nothing. The verse, "Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain," Hebrews 12:27. What was God saying in the midst of this phenomenon? Our eyes were big, and hearts wide open.
The Unshakable
We cannot deny that we are in times when the shakings, both physical and spiritual, are intensifying. Wars, rumors of war, economic upheavals, natural disasters are all shaking our comfort zones. In the midst of these challenges that threaten to shake our confidence, giant promises of the harvest and revival loom. We are not unlike the Israelites in Moab (Deuteronomy 29-31) receiving Moses' last instructions before going into the Promised Land. Like the Israelites, looking towards the great unknown, the promises of the end-time harvest are looming before us. As Moses reminded them of their laws and the blessing of returning to God, he states, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live,” Deut 30:19. Furthermore, Moses exhorted the children of Israel in Moab to, "Be strong and of good courage do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you," Deut 31:6. In pressing into the meaning and timing of the quake, three key issues arose pointing to the shift God is taking us through in order to strengthen us for the coming season.
Walking it out:
Given these three themes, how can we walk it out in practical ways to grow in spiritual strength and courage in our personal and corporate lives:
Our commission and call now are to choose life, no matter what besets or betrays us. God is moving in supernatural ways to affirm His covenant. His covenant with us is unshakable as is His enduring love. We just need to see it, receive it, understand it, and walk in it. If we do so, we will become the unshakable army in the midst of the shaking.
Susan Rowe
We cannot deny that we are in times when the shakings, both physical and spiritual, are intensifying. Wars, rumors of war, economic upheavals, natural disasters are all shaking our comfort zones. In the midst of these challenges that threaten to shake our confidence, giant promises of the harvest and revival loom. We are not unlike the Israelites in Moab (Deuteronomy 29-31) receiving Moses' last instructions before going into the Promised Land. Like the Israelites, looking towards the great unknown, the promises of the end-time harvest are looming before us. As Moses reminded them of their laws and the blessing of returning to God, he states, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live,” Deut 30:19. Furthermore, Moses exhorted the children of Israel in Moab to, "Be strong and of good courage do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you," Deut 31:6. In pressing into the meaning and timing of the quake, three key issues arose pointing to the shift God is taking us through in order to strengthen us for the coming season.
- The days of the "Nameless and faceless" characterization of the body of Christ are over. The acronym served its purpose to help us look beyond platforms into Kingdom dynamics that are powerful and important to tend to. However, now, the Lord is calling us into new revelation and the importance of trusting Him, knowing our identity, spiritual gifts and callings, and how to serve others with them. The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable, Romans 11:29. We need to understand who we are in Christ. John states in Rev 3:11, Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. The Psalmist reiterates the importance of carrying what God has called us to do, You have renounced the covenant of Your servant; You have profaned his crown by casting it to the ground, Ps 89:39. This understanding is not a call to arrogance but rather to obedience in serving others and mobilizing the body of Christ into prayer and action. There is nothing more powerful than when someone calls out another's purpose publicly. This ministry of recognition was displayed by Peter in Matthew 16 when he was the first human on earth to declare Jesus as the Messiah. What was the power of that declaration? Jesus said, On this rock I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it, Matthew 16:18. Rock, or πέτρα petra, is a rock, or ledge. Such recognition solidifies one's place with God. We are not nameless or faceless before Him.
- The Church will be a House of Prayer. Jesus is awakening His Church to the importance of corporate prayer and worship. The final frontiers of the global harvest loom. These frontline battles are gripped in the enemy's strongholds and require spiritual intervention in worship and prayer before the harvest is loosed. Much of the Church lies hidden in the pews. A new awakening is rising as hunger for His Presence and desire to worship and to pray fuel the hearts of His people. 2 Chron 20:22 declares the call, Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. The hour of the relentless watchmen of Isaiah 62:6-7 is now. The ramparts of prayer and worship are being built from homes, to churches, to large and small gatherings from every tribe and tongue. When strongholds are spiritually dealt with and released, the harvest will come in.
- The fear of man must give way to the fear of the Lord. A Daniel anointing is being loosed to be bold in the face of opposition and oppression. The angel of the Lord appeared to Daniel in the midst of distress saying, "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me," Daniel 10:19. We will be called to stand in difficult places, but know that God is with us. He will be our guide and give us the wisdom to navigate the strongholds that threaten and prevent God's movement forward. It simply requires a heart fully committed to Him with love being the anchor of our souls. Psalm 84:5 promises, "Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage, as they pass through the Valley of Baca (valley of tears), they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with potions, they go from strength to strength." Shifting to the fear of the Lord will unlock the resources of heaven and will loose new strength and boldness.
Walking it out:
Given these three themes, how can we walk it out in practical ways to grow in spiritual strength and courage in our personal and corporate lives:
- Build with purpose. As we navigate and begin to understand the watchman's call, a distinctive characteristic is emerging. Watchmen seek to build. Intercessors hear from the Lord and move on their directives, which is essential and good. Watchmen will hear from the Lord and seek ways to build with what is already growing or will look to collaborate with others. The book of Nehemiah is such an example. All the families built their portion of the wall. They did not lose their identity but built alongside each other. Consequently, incredible work was done in 52 days.
- Prepare ourselves, family, and friends for the coming season. As times become more challenging, God is calling us to be prepared. Some keys for the coming season are as follows:
- Be equipped in the Word for personal growth but also in the end-time narrative. Ministries are emerging with fresh revelation of the end-times that are biblically solid. It is as if the books that were shut in Daniel 12:4 are now being opened and we are seeing more clearly than before. Whatever eschatology we hold, it is vital that our study causes our love for Jesus and others to grow and develop. The end-time narrative reveals a dimension of Jesus that is fuel for has been untouched by many in the body of Christ. On these basics are all the law and the prophets, Mt. 22:40.
- Be prepared to love and forgive in a deeper, more profound capacity. Because the harvest is plentiful and the tares are mature, the end-time harvest will come from many different places with wounded spirits from drug, alcoholism, abuse, rejection, etc. It will require a greater capacity to love and express compassion to minister to these needs.
- Be prepared to be uncomfortable. God is changing the wineskin, and it will require us to get out of our comfort zones and typical thought patterns as to what church and the Christian life are all about.
- Be ready to share the hope in you and to speak life giving words to others. The coming season will require us to know the love of God and His redeeming power for every situation and relationship. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God, 2 Cor 1:3.
- Be willing to walk out the gospel of peace, particularly with brothers and sisters in Christ. The judgments and offenses in the body of Christ must be dealt with for the fullness of the Gentile Church (Romans 11:25) to come into being. Be willing to reach out to those you may have offended or inadvertently hurt and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God, Mt. 5:9. Follow Matthew 18 protocol when you have questions or concerns for a brother or sister in Christ. Once words of reproach are released, it takes a lot to overcome them, and your brother or sister may have an excellent explanation for the error or offense bothering you. Destroying another's character because of unforgiveness is not the way of the cross or to greater spiritual authority. Picking up our cross, which can be painful, is the only way to freedom. Paul summarizes well, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God," 1 Cor 1:18. Give opportunity to resolve differences for in so doing; you will gain a friend.
- A new boldness will overtake us as God grows our capacity to love. John writes, "Love is perfected in this that we will have boldness in the days of judgment," 1 John 4:17. Be willing to step out of the boat and see how God uses your faith for the purposes of His Kingdom. Favor will follow.
Our commission and call now are to choose life, no matter what besets or betrays us. God is moving in supernatural ways to affirm His covenant. His covenant with us is unshakable as is His enduring love. We just need to see it, receive it, understand it, and walk in it. If we do so, we will become the unshakable army in the midst of the shaking.
Susan Rowe
