Word for Passover 2022
"If you remain silent..."
A Fresh Wind of the Prophetic is Rising
“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Esther 4:14
Esther 4:14
We are in a significant season and time of convergence. The beginning of Passover, Good Friday, and Ramadan all converge on the same day, April 15. Additionally, the Muslim “Night of Power,” April 27th, coincides with the “Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes Remembrance Day” this year. What is God saying? He is certainly getting our attention.
Since January and particularly in the 44 days leading into the “Esther Decree,” I have kept hearing and sensing there is a “new move of the prophetic rising.” What do this convergence and sense of a fresh wind of prophetic ministry mean? Being April 14th today, I was drawn to Esther 4:14, For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther was called out of the shadows into a time of activation to act and speak on behalf of a nation that was about to be annihilated. In many ways, we are hard-pressed in almost every nation with issues that concern us all. The times of Esther are upon us from local to national issues. War is raging with threats of another world war and conflict rising within and against Israel.
Since January and particularly in the 44 days leading into the “Esther Decree,” I have kept hearing and sensing there is a “new move of the prophetic rising.” What do this convergence and sense of a fresh wind of prophetic ministry mean? Being April 14th today, I was drawn to Esther 4:14, For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther was called out of the shadows into a time of activation to act and speak on behalf of a nation that was about to be annihilated. In many ways, we are hard-pressed in almost every nation with issues that concern us all. The times of Esther are upon us from local to national issues. War is raging with threats of another world war and conflict rising within and against Israel.
PROPHETIC WINDS RISING:
As I have been pondering what this new move of the prophetic might look like, let us not underestimate the assignment against it. As we are in a decade of “pey,” the Hebrew letter for 80 also means “mouth,” is it no wonder we are in a battle for our mouths. COVID 19 has virtually tried to cover everyone’s mouth! However, it may very well be this is the training ground for this new movement to emerge. What does it look like, and how can we prepare?
Here are a few keys that scriptures point to:
HOW TO PROCEED?
Pray
THE PROMISE
The promised land of His provision is before us Joshua 4:10. Yes, there are giants in the land, but God is calling out a new boldness from unknown places that will release His heart and His word! This is a divine season of shift, and war, but will yield eternal blessing. In this Passover season, place the blood of the lamb over the doorpost of Your heart. We are about to see divine reversals and resurrection life raise up dry bones. Let the forgiveness of Jesus penetrate any hard places in your heart…for out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth will speak. This is a heart season. As we yield into it, it will release a sweet aroma of sacrifice to the Lord and make way for the promises of the future. Wisdom of the warfare of the past season will yield fruit and much needed strength for what is to come.
As I have been pondering what this new move of the prophetic might look like, let us not underestimate the assignment against it. As we are in a decade of “pey,” the Hebrew letter for 80 also means “mouth,” is it no wonder we are in a battle for our mouths. COVID 19 has virtually tried to cover everyone’s mouth! However, it may very well be this is the training ground for this new movement to emerge. What does it look like, and how can we prepare?
Here are a few keys that scriptures point to:
- God is calling forth a remnant: God will always raise up a dedicated remnant to “turn the battle at the gate,” Isaiah 28:6. There is a grassroots mobilization underway to bring restoration of God’s covenantal promises. Do not think you are insignificant, but rather line up with what the Lord has spoken and called you to. His gifts and calling are “irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). Furthermore, He exhorts the faithful church of Philadelphia to, Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown! (Revelation 3:11). The supply line for this movement is in heaven, right from the throne room. Lining up with our identity will release the supply line. In this time of consecration, rid yourselves of self-doubt and ask God to replace them with His thoughts.
- Provision is about to change: The usual ways of feeding and nurturing are shifting. God is changing the church. After crossing the Jordan, Israel came to the edge of the promised land in Gilgal. It was Passover (Joshua 5:10). That day manna stopped, and they began to eat the produce of the land. This speaks to fresh provision of food and supply, but also of spiritual insight and revelation. It was at that time that Joshua met the angel of the Lord face to face. “Then the Commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, ‘Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.’ And Joshua did so” (Joshua 5:15). God is calling this prophetic movement out of traditions, that have in many ways supplied our needs, into new mantles of revelation and understanding for the times and season ahead. We cannot go into the new season wearing and doing things “as usual.” Though they may still work, hanging onto old ways of doing things won’t get us into the promised land. Allow God to re-dress you in His word and Spirit. Though we may have prophetic words and decrees, God is wanting to take us a step further and deep dive into wisdom. Esther walked in wisdom. She did not just go up to the King decreeing her beliefs, but rather engaged him in conversation. There is a place for decrees and declarations, which we can all feel very strongly about. But, there is also now a much-needed place for conversation, and relationship building, especially as God moves to change the church. Esther figured that out and it saved a nation!
- God will use the marginalized: In today's world, God will use whomever responds to His call and nudge. 2 Kings 7 tells the amazing story of 4 lepers. They had no resources, were marginalized and outcasts of their day. Israel and Judah had sinned and were under the judgments of God. The southern kingdom of Judah was under siege by the Syrians with a devastating famine within the city of Jerusalem. In desperation, four lepers decided they would go into the enemy camp and risk the chance of survival there. God went before them and drove out the Syrians so that when the lepers went into the camp, all the provision they needed was there. Bringing the news back to Jerusalem, the last remnant of Judah was saved. Today, God is moving upon the marginalized and the desperate. He will use whatever means necessary to get our attention. When He does move, it will bring glory to Him. The weak and the foolish things may just "shame the wise" (1 Cor 1:27). This does not mean people move in presumption, but rather, what has been done in the secret place will carry great weight in the days to come as God raises up His army. God will bring heavenly influencers forward who have sought after and marinated in His wisdom. "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5).
- There will be a merging of the Judah and Isaachar companies: The praisers and those who discern the times and seasons, the watchmen will join ranks. These two tribes led Israel through the wilderness following the Levites carrying the ark of the covenant. As these callings unite, God will break open the wilderness as His ark traverses out across our cities, states, and nations. Lampstands will be lit through this uniting. Clarity of revelation will come as the wilderness breaks open with new provision and revelation. As the process builds, God will redeem and restore that which has been stolen. Though giants loom, we are not to be afraid. The God of justice is on our side.
- God is calling the prophetic forward into local church expressions. This will cause a stir as dry bones, muscles, and sinews strengthen. The Acts Church was highly prophetic and it changed history. They were also highly relational keeping both the morning and evening sacrifice as a time of gathering. Such a culture fostered an understanding of the five-fold ministry that we do not necessarily have today. In the hectic pace of today’s world, such a level of relationship and commitment is hard to come by. However, we are in need for religiosity and traditions to give way to engaging relationally. Such effort will produce the trust that will lay healthy foundations for prophetic ministry to not only arise, but thrive. This will take teachable spirits in those who have been marginalized in churches as a result of their gifting. God is raising this movement up to help release the church from a laodicean grip. As relational trust and recognition is raised up, prophetic ministry will find its way back into the church, dry bones will come to life and gateways for revival will emerge.
HOW TO PROCEED?
Pray
- Pray for a release of prophetic dreams and visions. Joel 2:28
- Pray for a fresh wind of the prophetic to inspire you, 1 Cor 13:9, 14:1; Romans 12:6
- Pray for prophetic ministry to be embraced by local church expressions through relational strength and trust. 1 Cor 14:31, 39
- Pray for wisdom for those who are part of this movement, to be like Esther, wise in communication and relationship building, yet strong in resolve and purpose. James 1:5, Pro 11:2, 13:3, 10; 1 Cor 3:18; Ps 90:1
- Pray for relational strength to build between Judah and Issachar type ministries. Numbers 2
THE PROMISE
The promised land of His provision is before us Joshua 4:10. Yes, there are giants in the land, but God is calling out a new boldness from unknown places that will release His heart and His word! This is a divine season of shift, and war, but will yield eternal blessing. In this Passover season, place the blood of the lamb over the doorpost of Your heart. We are about to see divine reversals and resurrection life raise up dry bones. Let the forgiveness of Jesus penetrate any hard places in your heart…for out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth will speak. This is a heart season. As we yield into it, it will release a sweet aroma of sacrifice to the Lord and make way for the promises of the future. Wisdom of the warfare of the past season will yield fruit and much needed strength for what is to come.
