“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
Much in studying the bible, The word, Prepares us as to what to expect.
There is much evidence of God allowing things to take their course because He can turn it around for Good or enable it to birth something of His plan.
“For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labour; I will gasp and pant.”
The more we come to realise and understand this the less surprised we are because in glimpsing His perspective instead of ours we are allayed our fears and doubts.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.”
When things do not appear to be blessed we rest in assurance that it will be fine with God in control and when He turns it around to beauty.
We find the place to be at rest as Jesus was in the boat when the storms around held the others in fear.
We can step into the place God has prepared for us in the eye of the storm where we can posture ourselves at peace and rest and not as tossed and blown.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
The kingdom of God can then manifest within us. We can hear the prayers of His Will and unite with them. Not our prayers that we unwittingly ask Him to agree with which are in fact off course and opposing His purpose.
We must fix our eyes on the eternal truth and on what is to come from God’s perspective. From this place we remain steadfast, steady and strong.
The enemy attempts all ways to distract and distort. It is only by being bi-located and from the heavenly, spiritual realm reigning with Christ that we share His perspective and wisdom. Grounded by the Holy Spirit.
“and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”
Out of shaking and persecution God is calling forth the generation to come ‘for such a day as this’. War and life go hand in hand to enable what God is destining.
“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.”
We who know God have a place appointed by Him in the eye of the storm. Our place of stillness.
God has a greater plan and purpose in all things.
While we might observe from our worldly perspective the potential of war with Ukraine and Russia as to be in need of the prayer for God to stop this.
From a Spiritual perspective it may be the enemies attempt to close a doorway for the gospel to move over many nations and Europe.
Illuminated with the light of Christ the prayers are transformed to those of the protection of the innocent and the provisions and supplies required being available.
The full backing of heaven releases armies of angels. It establishes the fullness of authority uncompromised. The blessing upon both countries to have clarity and sit rightly not desiring that which is not theirs but being in the place of abundance for God to lavish upon.
Sitting rightly allows God to build His bridges, to bring His glory. To thwart the enemy closing gates and wreaking havoc.
Our prayer is for God to have His way.
The illustration shows us at rest and peace in the eye of the storm and under God’s hand. God in control while the world shakes. All power under His governance. Light emanating to push back the darkness.
Seven Scriptures that come to mind:
“For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labour; I will gasp and pant.”Isaiah 42:14 ESV
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Matthew 24:6-8 ESV
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:13-14 ESV
“and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”. Ephesians 2:6 ESV
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 ESV
“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.” Joel 2:32 ESV
The song Wouldn’t It Be Like You. Bryan + Katie Torwalt
Lessisgreater 