Welcome to a Place of Grace for You...read and take courage!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Ruling from a Resting position


Last week, Liz Sutter taught on ruling from a resting position.  This is one of those "things" in life that you want to have in your arsenal so when life rages around, you can pull out the most powerful weapon - resting in Christ's finished work so you rule over your enemies.  Enjoy!


PSALM 23:5
{Thou  preparest}   {a table}  before  {me in the presence of mine enemies} : {thou anoints}  {my head}  {with oil:}  { my cup}  {runneth over.}

STUDY

First phrase: Thou prepares: Hebrew arak:  to arrange wood upon the alter; loaves upon the holy tablea table for a meal;  arms for a battle; to set in order, a cause in a court of justice;to set or put or lay in order; to furnish; to set forth a legal case; set in place
Second phrase: a table: Hebrew shulcan:  Kings table;  Extended/spread out, The table of shew bread; Table of Jehovah, the alter: Root is verb: shalach:  to send away; to cast out ; to dismiss; to be divorced, to cast, to throw as arrows into fire(into a city); to cast down;  to be expelled; set free
Third Phrase:  me in the presence of mine enemies: Hebrew tsarar:  to bind, be narrow; cause distress to besiege, be bound, tied up, shut up, cramped, to be in straits, to press hard upon, to show hostility toward; treat with enmity, vex,  harass,  to press, compress, to be wrapped up ina cloth or bundle, to lay hold of, persecute, to afflict,
Forth Phrase: thou anoints} Hebrew dashen: become/grow fat, prosperous , to take away ashes from alter, to fatten oneself of Jehovahs sword, good tidings make the bones fat, fills them with marrow, imparts strength, sending fire down from heaven, to clear from ashes,  to be anointed with fatness to be smeared
Fifth phrase: my head: Hebrew  ro’sh:  Head, upper part, total, sum, top ; chief of a family, the high priest,
Sixth  Phrase: with oil: Hebrew shemem: fatness;  feast of fat things; ‘yoke of Isreal is broken because fatness/ taken from a fat bull that casts off and breaks the yoke; fruitfulness of the earth, very fertile valley; dew of heaven; Root: verb  shaman; to grow or become fat: to be covered with fat…to produce it from oneself;sympbol of plenty, sign of luxery, royal treasure, as medicine, as a shield
Seventh Phrase: my cup: Hebrew kowc: a vessel, a receptacle
Eight Phrase: runneth over: Hebrew revayah:  saturation, abundance,Root verb: ravah: to be satiated or have ones fill, to drench, water abundantly, intoxicated, soaked, to satiate anyone with fat,  drench, bathed, a place of relief

INSIGHT

God prepared for us Jesus (a meal) shown forth on this table. The King's table of displaying the benefits of the finished work, this table of Victory and Freedom in which we can feast upon.  A table which we can eat and receive nourishment in our weakness and frailities…that we can gain strength and power to overcome. We have every spiritual blessing that Christ has for us from his finished work(Eph 1:3).
It brings to remembrance the Lords table with bread and wine..symbolizing the exchange.. His love and Victory for us. A table  speaks of the posture of sitting down (at rest). While we rest we receive of the blessings in Gods Kingdom at the table.  A place of rest before our enemies.  Where we don’t wok/fight the enemy..but our fight is the fight of faith..fight to believe what God has given us we have.   We receive of Gods provision through His meal, through communion, through the finished work.

A table spread out ..by implication is a meal..A meal that has already been prepared..When a meal is prepared and on the table/the work has already been done..so we enjoy and eat!! All the while our audience..our enemies are  confronting us. 

I believe Gods rest is our promise land. So when we rest and receive at the table we have entered our promised land. When I can, in the face of fear, enter into peace...I am experiencing triumph over this giant. In the face of disease, I can say with confidence that healing is at the table.  I am the healed of the Lord - I have my inheritance.  In the face of hardship, confusion, darkness, and pain(our enemies) I can say God's provision is mine.  Because I am receiving His meal, I am victorious.  

Then the scripture follows that we enter into the anointing so we grow fat from the table and receive strength  totally to overcome.  Even as the fat bull pulls away and breaks the yoke of bondage that has overcome it, he breaks free from what has laid hold of him.  Then we experience, as the scripture says, our cup overflows and we are saturated - we are soaked with the anointing oil because we have received of His table and have overcome (WOW!).

STUDY: Psm: 110:1-4

Vs. 1: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies they footstool.  The Lord shall send { the rod}  {of thy strength}  (out  ot Zion} :({ Rule}  thou in the midst of thine enemies.
First phrase vs. 2 the rod:  Hebrew matteh: branch(of vine), , a scepter,  to cast down(enemies)
Second phrase : of they strength; Hebrew ‘oz: might;power, the strong hero; fortified tower, defense, refuge protection, splendor, majesty, glory, praise, victory ,
Third phrase: out of Zion: Hebrew TSiyown: Jerusalem; a sunny mountain, city of David, to show the way, place of worship, to lead in music/song,
Fourth prhase: Rule: Hebrew radah: to tread down, have dominion, subjugate, to tread-winepress, to subdue, to take possession of

INSIGHT

When we are at rest, who is ruling us? Jesus is ruling our emotions, our mind, our body. He has the control. So when we allow Jesus to rule our emotions and mindsets, we are then ruling our enemies by allowing His Lordship over us. We are possessing that land of peace, possessing joy, healing, deliverance from dark mindsets. We are treading our enemies, prevailing over them by submitting to His Lordship. As Christ is now sitting at the right hand of God, He is at rest and even as Christ is in this world so are we.  Christ rules in a position of rest, He rules His enemies remaining at Rest. The Psalms states  “out to Zion, Rule.” Out of the place of worship and rest at His table, Christ is Lord, and we have His victory over every enemy! He has made the way in his finished work for us to overcome every obstacle!  He is so good!!


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Defending your cause, victory and plunder...all in a day's rest


Below is the full transcript from a teaching Elizabeth Sutter shared in Bible study a few weeks ago.  This is something to read and re-read as it is RICH and contains keys to walking in Christ's finished work.  Be prepared - it's not just a steak - it's a side of beef so grab your fork and dig in!

2 Chronicles 20

Understanding the passage from vs. 1, there are a multitude of enemies advancing against Jehosaphat which cause him and his people Great fear and trouble. 

From s. 1 to 11 we see the people positioned to seek help from the Lord..in the manner of prayer and fasting. 

I first wanted to study the word Jehosaphat:  Meaning in Hebrew : “ Jehovah has judged”  Jehosaphat has the word "God" inherent in his name,  “has judged” means whose cause he (God) pleads, place of ultimate judgment/vindication. To defend any ones cause esp. of poor and oppressed, defend cause of orphan, and to deliver him from the power of his enemies.
                                                                                                                                         
Used of Leaders who delivered their people from the oppression of neighboring nations and then who governed them with Peace!!

INSIGHT
What is our ultimate vindication and judgement(of our enemies)?  Where God has delivered us from the power of our enemies and now governs us with peace…this is pointing to THE FINISHED WORK…Praise God!

That in the place where the battle rages for us. God has made a way , a way of victory through the cross. In this passage, I believe Jehosphats name is significant. His name points to the cross and to the grace and peace we now have as believers in the new covenant. We don’t have to consider our enemies(the vast multitude against us). We can rest in the finished work!

STUDY
I have picked it up in vs. 11 where it states,"Here (they) are rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit."

 Word studies from King James states, "Behold I say how they reward us …(to come)….( to cast us out)… (of they possession)’…( which thou has given us to inherit)."

                                
First Phrase {..us to come}: reveals:  Hebrew word: bow :Enter in, to come, to bring against, to come upon as attack of enemy, as in those who enter the gate of a city. To enter into ones body..as in the spirit entered into me,….to be acquainted with a secret counsel…to enter into Hades(death)…to fall upon any one esp. suddenly, used of an enemy….used of calamity…to bring into a house…to bring to judgement…Used in the sense of a military leader to bring them into war, ….to insert(the writings refer to intercourse)….to bring an evil report concerning them…to bring upon anyone evil, or anything hurtful.

Second Phrase {to cast us out): Hebrew word: garish: To drive out, to divorce or put away, to thrust out, trouble, agitate, to be tossed, to expel from a land, used in the of the wicked are like the troubled sea which cannot rest..whose waters cast forth mire.  To plunder or spoil the land, to drive out with an accusation of a person, …to be carried off by the violence of water, to be driven, agitated by the sea.

 Third Phrase  { of thy possessionHebrew word: yerushah:  Our inheritance, to take possession, seize, (dispossess, impoverish, ruin in regards to the enemy)disinherit (enemy) To occupy esp. by force, catching new wine, …to take possession of ones goods, …to drive him out from the possession, to succeed in his place as in the sense of the Lord will destroy those nations before thee and thou shalt occupy their possession,…in the sense of possessing the land: spoken of which had been promised of old to the Israelites and was regarded as the highest happiness of life.
                                                                                                                                                                
Used in the sense of Gen:15:3-4 where the son of the bond woman shall not inherit with my son(Issac), to occupy, i.e. the land as in a city or mountain land.
                                                                                                                                                                
As in Job20:15, God shall drive them out from his belly..to blot out, to destroy.

INSIGHT
The depth of these word phrases in this passage are great..as liked to diamonds..you can look at them in the Hebrew from so many different sides…giving us insight into the devices of the enemy and all confirming and establishing our riches in Christ through the finished work… The enemy would see to attack us, to come against us in war, bringing us into death at the gate of our house, our city, bringing judgement and evil. Seeking to cause us trouble, agitation, unrest, plunder our rightful goods as the accuser and Liar. ..but we have an inheritance that we have the authority to occupy by force and disable and blot out the enemy's influence and place in our land. This is the joy of our inheritance...as Israel that in taking possession was the highest of happiness in life.

STUDY
Picking it up again in vs. 17, "You will not need to fight in this {battle, position}…{yourselves, stand} …{still and see}  the salvation of the Lord who is with you O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed, tomorrow go out against them for the Lord is with you."

I only studied a few phrases that are just the tip of the iceberg.
                                                
First Phrase: battle, set:  Hebrew word: Yatsab:  station oneself, stand with someone, to minister to Him(God), to stand firm before anyone, as a victor before an enemy.
                                                
Second Phrase: yourselves stand:  Hebrew word:  ‘amad:  a verb, to be in a standing attitude, to stop  moving, or cease from doing, abide, hold ones ground, to rise up or against, to serve or minister before a king, to stand firm in battle, to resist, to persevere, to stand still as opposed to going ones own way, becoming tranquil(at rest) , to remain.

Third Phrase: ye still, and see..Hebrew word: ra’ah: a verb:  to see, to consider, to have vision/perceive, to learn about, observe, to distinguish , to gaze,.., to behold, look intently at, …to see the face of a king, ..is said of ministers who are received in his presence, is used for to Enjoy Life, to live fully, to see Jehovah in the land of the living, to behold with purpose, as the eye lingers on an object of pleasure…to feast our eyes upon, often used as joy felt at the destruction of eenemies, from Gods perspective(to look at an affliction in order to remove it/ to see about anything, to provide or care for it) used in the sense from Gods perspective..the keeper of the prison cared for nothing which was delivered to Joseph, God will provide for himself a lamb for a burnt offering, and Abraham called the name of that place Moriah, ….to look to one as expecting aid, , used of (the Hebrews and Greeks) as a verb of seeing those things which are not perceived by the eyes, but by other senses,i.e..hearing, touch, feeling, to perceive things based on the mind or heart, to to know of things which we learn by the experience of life…To be provided or cared for, Mount Moriah ..God shall provide for men, and give them aid, as he did to Abraham,..to cause one to see with pleasure.

INSIGHT
 In my view, these truths are against the mindset of religion.. which says that when we go up against an attack we “take a hold of the horns of the alter” and pray laboriously with an attitude of I’m going to do whatever it takes to get God to move on my behalf…My sense here in these verses is standing becomes a place of joy and peace(Rom 15:13)

Enjoying Life..…where we minister to the face of our King and we cease from our works/resting to let God do the work, he has already finished.  In that place of resting knowing that even if we cannot with our eyes(yet) see the deliverance/ the manifestation of Victory..we know it by our mind/and heart, we know it based upon the things God has done, the finished work. Rejoicing with the Father that he has destroyed our enemies!!

STUDY
Vs.  20: So they rose early in the morning and went out { into the Wilderness}  { of Tekoa}, and as they went out Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear Me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem:  {Believe}  in the Lord your God and { you shall be established}  , {believe}  His prophets, and {you shall prosper”}

First Phrase: into the Wilderness: Hebrew word: midbar:  meaning uninhabited land, and meaning mouth(an organ of speech).  Root word of mouth(dabar) a verb/  to speak, declare / command, to sing, to lead the way..to rule, to direct a people, to bring into order, to speak by subduing, in the sense of “speak unto Pharaoh(enemy)   all the things which I speak unto thee” ..it is used of the things which are spoken follow,…used of God..to make something known by revelation..use of when God speaks or promises to any one, ..to utter a song/sing…..also used of speaking to oneself..in 1 Sam 1:13 with Hannah..she was speaking in her heart:..used of God:  “he has spoken good things, he has promished” to decree,

To pronounce sentence, by which a penalty is declared..against our enemy..to speak against him, to lay snares (against him)…to plot against, to destroy…in the sense …as she talked with them/made war upon them/pronounce ssentence upon them..

Second Phrase: of Tekoa:  Hebrew word: teqowa: "stockaid”….a hill(mountainous)  country near Judah/wilderness..fortified town on the borders of a great desert..root word (taqa’)..to thrust/a blast..to drive in as a nail..as nails fixed into the ground…to thrust a spear/sword/to cast into the sea, To sound an alarm/to blow…to strike/clap hands.
                                               
 Third Phrase: Believe: Hebrew word: ‘aman:  as with  a mother..to nurse/ as a pillar…supporters of the door, to uphold, …to be firm, to be unshaken, to be faithful…to trust, be secure…to support to bear in the arms as children..a firm place where a nail is driven..
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
 Fourth Phrase: so shall ye be established: Hebrew word: ‘aman:  Same meaning as above
                                                  
Fifth Phrase: Believe: again Hebrew word: 'aman: Same as above
                                     
Sixth Phrase: so shall ye prosper: Hebrew word: tsalach:  Advance, make progress, succeed,  to flourish…to finish well…one who is successful in all things…to flow, to be poured out as water.

INSIGHT
There are some rich truths here..

Some thoughts are that in our own places of “wilderness” places of barrenness/or places of lack, remembrance of the curse..that we get to, with our mouth, speak the promises of God with authority/declaring, commanding ordering and subduing the darkness  in those places and
Realize that those places are becoming the places of his super abounding grace!! 

In Isa. 43:19  “See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up..do you not perceive it..I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland...because I (God) provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

To give drink(to water the land) for my people, my chosen and the people I formed that they may proclaim my praise in the places of great strongholds, fortified/built up cities (mindsets) things that are exalting themselves above God(hill or mountainous regions) those places that are fixed as nails.  

Those places of deep wounds as with thrusting spears, places of great fears(alarms) and hard blows/or strikes. We can with Christs authority make progress in these areas, flourish in these places ..because we can believe.  In that place of believing we make progress, even as a child nurses from his mother and gains strength and life so can we from our source…the place of utter dependence upon Jesus! 

So practically as we see our own places of lack/barrenness, places of even wanting.  I believe God is there with His abundant Grace that is ours to receive, ours to own, ours to celebrate.  We walk through those places of strongholds speaking His Promises,His words...sowing a great seed of Life and watching it grow and produce Harvest!

The Battle is the Lords(the work has been finished). We are not the instruments (doing it in our own strength) but the Lord has done the work for us!! We are the joyful spectators of the total defeat of our enemies. Jehosphat gave thanks for a promise not yet preformed.  Knowing Gods words are as ready
Cash.  As we know, Faith says "Thank you!" before the deliverance.  When you believe his words and what He says then we are connected to  His Victory. We have the Victory! 

Jehosphat triumphed BEFORE the battle. He encouraged the people to just believe in the words of God(Believe and you shall succeed/flourish). The mindset of the culture is to thank God when something you want happens, not necessarily before. It takes faith to do it before...contrasting…waiting to see  the manifestation.  That mindset / actions promotes  an attitude of unbelief.

When they rested in Who God was by praising him, ambushes were set/snares were set for the enemies destruction! God did the work of delivering them!  The prophet encouraged the people not to be afraid or dismayed(fearful, dreadful, terrified,..or broken to pieces, or shattered, or confused, )at the sight of their enemies. Not to be fearful and what they saw(their circumstances), but to remain confident in God, with assurance that he had a miraculous victory of deliverance in store for them…without them “doing” anything! That is amazing Grace!!  

To be in an attitude of singing as if returning from a joyful triumph over their enemies! This is an attitude that comes from the tree of Life..in any situation God says He is the God of Hope and fills us with joy and peace..so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit..Rom 15:13. So what are we listening to in our place of lack/desert or barrenness??? God wants us to listen to Life. His life that is there for us and will manifest to us when we remain in the place of believing. Faith moves mountains(Mark 11:24).

Not only do we get to remain in the place of rest in the mist of our enemies(He prepares a table {in the Hebrew a table means..place of freedom} before us in the mist of our enemies - Ps 23), we get to receive the blessings/spoils after the victory (v. 25)!  Jehosphat and his army welcomed an abundance of riches/jewels(wealth) - more than they could take away for themselves and God gave so much plunder that it took three days to collect it all. (Three is the number of completeness/perfection).

He can do exceeding, abundantly, more than we could ever ask or think!  Believe it!!!