Setting Our Hearts for 2010 —
Week One
All of God’s promises are “Yes and Amen” in 2010! As we enter into 2010, let us set our hearts for victory. We are setting aside 21 days of fasting to position ourselves for personal victory, victory for our children and grandchildren, victory for His Church and victory for our nations.
Get on God’s Side!
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?" And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come" (Joshua 5:13-14).
As Joshua stood on the Plane of Jericho, he had an encounter the Captain of the Armies. He is the most powerful soldier in heaven or earth. The Lord didn’t come down to take sides! The Lord came down to take charge. As we face battles we don’t ask God to be on our side. We choose to side with the God of Angel armies and pray, “Lord, come and take charge!”
Enforce the Victory:
Jericho was one of the most fortified and secure cities of that time. A strategic stronghold, and the gateway to the land promised to Israel. God declared “I have given this city into your hand.”
Joshua 6:5 when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him."
The battle has already been won. We just enforce the victory. But the victory is not without battle.
Follow God’s Instructions:
God gives us a specific methodology to take the city:
1. Take the Ark with you: The ark represents the Presence of God – the effulgence of His glory that gave victory in every battle. Every believer that has made Jesus Lord of their life is a carrier of His glory. No matter the circumstance, look to Jesus. Magnify the Lord and Praise Him. When you make this your priority, you connect with His glory and begin to harmonize with Him. Let His greatness and awesome power, His promises and His love define you. Take the ark of His Presence with you. Become a carrier of His glory for victory in battle for yourself and for others around you.
2. Make a list of some of the personal victories you desire for yourself, your children, your home, your marriage and your finances. As we set aside the next 21 days, let us “march around the strongholds” that need to be torn down. This is a corporate fast. Join us in the capacity of grace you have. There are many fellow spiritual warriors humbling themselves and agreeing with you for victory and answered prayer.
3. Decide you will have victory. There is power in a quality decision Proverbs 11 says, “The road to life is a disciplined life, ignore correction and you’re lost for good.” Part of God’s strategy for Israel included discipline to “Be quiet.” No complaining, no murmuring for seven days. They marched in silence until the Lord said, “Give a big shout!” After two or three days of marching without making a sound, the looming walls of Jericho and nothing but a confident enemy within mocking Israel’s strange “battle plan,” it would have been tempting to question Joshua’s command. The silence was a discipline indicating the walk of faith. The discipline was a decision to do what was required in order to bring the stronghold down. Psalm 103 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Part of our fasting discipline will be to refrain from grumbling and complaining about the negative things. Let us place our hope and trust firmly and quietly in the Lord to save us.
4. Persevere: With a shout the Lord made the walls of Jericho collapse, but the people did not have any details up until the moment of their victory. The when, how and even why is up to the Lord. Our role is to be faithful to do what He has given us to do. Don’t quit on day two or three because you don’t see anything happening. The Lord honors His word and He honors our obedience. He is not obligated to give us the details on how it will take place, but He is giving us the victory!
Throughout these days of fasting let us devote ourselves to see the Lord’s glory in relation to these nine areas In addition to your personal requests:
- United States 2010 Congressional Elections
- Jobs and Economic Recovery
- Protection from Terrorism
- Armed forces
- Families and Churches
- Come Holy Spirit!
- Harvest of Souls
- The Peace of Jerusalem
- Canon Andrew White and St. Georges’ Church in Baghdad
If you are unfamiliar with fasting or would like to be further equipped in this powerful spiritual discipline, you may find practical guidelines and spiritual foundations in our classic book, The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting.
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