Day 4 – The God of Participation
This week, we’ve discussed how our Heavenly Father is a God of seasons, cycles, and timing. And right now, we
are in the midst of one of the most exciting and biblically prophetic seasons of the entire year – the 10 Days
of Awe – leading up to the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.
But what is this time
for? What is the purpose? After all, according to Ecclesiastes, there is a time to
every purpose under heaven.
Naturally, in the days leading up to the holiest day on God’s calendar, we consecrate ourselves in devotion and
prepare to seek Him like we never have before. We turn our hearts back to Him. We seek to repair our relationship with
God and our relationships with one another. We re-center and re-focus to enable us, by His Spirit, to live holy lives
before a holy God.
After all, this is the season the King of Glory makes an appointment with you. Isn’t that remarkable? God has
plans for you! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “
For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace
and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
It doesn’t matter what circumstances you’re facing, what storm is looming, or what enemy is coming against
you.
God’s got plans to bless you – for your peace. Just hold on!
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat, of Judah received frightful news: A vast army was coming against him, and they
were already near!
With an army not nearly strong enough to defeat his foe, Jehoshaphat stood before the presence of the Lord and cried out:
You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.
… We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes
are on you.
In response, the Spirit of the Lord said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged … the battle is not yours, but
God’s” (v15).
But notice in the next verse, even though God said “
You will not have to fight this battle,”
Jehoshaphat still had to
go … there was something he had to
do. He had to participate.
God said, “
Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you … Do not
be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”
So they went, singing of God’s faithfulness and love. But what they could not
know and could only
believe is that
God went out before them.
Scripture records when Judah arrived,
they found their enemies already defeated, having attacked and
destroyed each other. God left only one thing for His people to do: pick up so much equipment, clothing and riches, it
took 3 days to collect it all!
Let me tell you something, Friend: The only reason God lets your enemy come against you is to leave YOU with
its riches, show you His goodness and strength, and fill your life with a story of His faithfulness to prepare
your future and propel you THROUGH any enemy that may come against you! Amen!
Be faithful to God:
Participate in the holiest day on His divine calendar.
Turn to Him. Sing His praise. Bring your Atonement Offering. And watch His delivering and saving power be unleashed,
by the blood of Jesus.
I want you to receive all God has in store for you on the holiest day of the year, the Day of Atonement, Monday,
September 21! Send me your prayer needs so I can cover them in prayer every day until then, believing for your miracle
and double portion blessings in this supernatural season of celebration!
Yours for the harvest,
Pastor Rod Parsley
