Now Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go back” seven times. It came about at the seventh time, that he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.’” In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. 1 Kings 18:41-45.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God says:
You need to cast out doubt and truly believe My Word. Do you remember how many times Elisha told Naaman to dip into the Jordan and he would be cleansed and healed of his leprosy? Seven times. How many times did Elijah pray for rain after he had shut the heavens for three and a half years by his word? Seven. And on the seventh time the cloud appeared and as it grew to cover the sky the rain fell, and the drought was over. All by prayer. Persevering prayer.
Stand on My Word. Do not back down even when like Elijah you see not cloud at first. It looked like the heavens were shut against him. But he knew My Word and he did not take the “no” of impossible looking circumstances to stop him. He was determined to see it come to pass. He was fully persuaded.
Do you remember something else about seven? I completed all the work necessary to supply the earth with all the elements, seed, provision, and formation and all the array of the heavens and the universe to run without hitch for unlimited time in six days, all is complete that you need to create new things—water to wine, deserts to gardens, and unlimited supply of food, minerals, materials for building and renewing, replenishing the earth, water, air—everything you need for yourself and all in abundance. And on the seventh day I rested in completeness. And I made man at the end of the sixth day to walk into full provision and to rest in Me living always in the seventh day—Shabbat, which means “rest.” No worry, no fear, no lack, no illness, no mourning, no pain, no death—only dominion in My power with Me as your source of all.
Seven signifies complete, which is also “shalom,” nothing missing, nothing broken, and no one alone. And I know the plans I have for you, plans for your shalom and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. A beautiful life in Me free from fear, doubt and evil. But most of you have gone backwards and stepped out of Shabbat to slavery to things I made to serve you. And you have done that by taking another lord than Me. There are only two choices for the kingdom that covers your life, you choose My Kingdom and My way of Righteousness or you do as Adam and Eve did and forsake My Kingdom and choose to be under the jurisdiction of Satan. Satan is a fallen angel that was made to serve you but who stole your identity and will run your life until he has destroyed you in helpless carnage and toil.
It is horrible what the devil does to your life if you serve him. The carnage of the destroyed bodies, broken ugly lives that were destined by Me to be beautiful and blessed, is all around you on the streets of numerous cities today. You see a fallen humanity lying on sidewalks and in doorways covered with filth who have lives destroyed by their submission to the devil and his realm of darkness. They have lied, stolen, taken drugs and alcohol, lived immoral lives filled with lust, and exercised no self-control. And yet if they had obeyed My Word, they would have had the grace that is a fruit of the Spirit to exercise self-control and dominion over their lives by taking Jesus as Lord. Many of them had no knowledge of My Word, but it was available to them, but they refused to hear. The devil would steal it from them.
And the way the devil does this is very simple, he causes you to doubt My Word and accept his. That is what he did with Eve and it worked. And it is the only tactic he has ever had to employ to be successful. If he can keep people out of My Word, he can win hands down.
It is only My Word that can heal you, deliver you from destruction, and give you life, abundant eternal life. There is no other way to Me than My Word. You cannot enter any other way. But it is not difficult. My Word is clear, giving understanding to the simple, to the merest children, and yet it is deep enough to be beyond all you can ask or imagine. Never underestimate the power of My Word. My Word created everything, sustains everything and holds all together. And in your mouth, it will do the same for you.
But you have to stand on it or Satan will steal it, choke it off, or burn it out of you by his clever schemes (stirring up storms right and left when he sees a weakness there). NEVER let go of My Word. Cast out doubt and fear, it is a demon spirit, so get it out of your life as you would get a snake out of your kitchen. But actually, with My Word, it is as easy as smashing a daddy long legs spider. When you hit the devil with My Word repeatedly, he has to flee.
But many people give in to him and think they are smart and independent and will fight against My Word. You know this. You have these people in your own families, in your neighborhood, in your city and state—will you not reach out to set them free? They are destroying their lives and the lives of those around them. Go after them in prayer and word and I will be with you to do so. You can help them to become new creations in Christ. You can bring them into My rest. And when you are in My rest, the rest will follow, like the fruit on the vine. To bear fruit that endures the only requirement is to attach to Jesus and then do whatever He tells you, for He is My Word to you today.
Don’t let the care of those around you bring you down to the depths of despair. Remember Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus? Did he despair that Satan had cut the life of Lazarus off before he reached his destiny? No. He wept at what Satan had done to those who should have resisted and trusted Me and then He handed it over to Me and knew I was with Him and for Him to do a mighty work of restoration. And so I am with you. And how did He pray? With confidence, just like I tell you to do. He believed He received the moment He handed the situation over to Me. This is the prayer I record for you: He simply lifted up His eyes and said: “Father, I thank you for having heard Me, I know that you always hear Me.” And then He proceeded to call forth Lazarus out of his tomb who had lain dead for four days, and Lazarus came forth alive, fully restored in every way. When you are faced with an impossible situation, cast your care on Me, speak My Word of healing, prosperity, provision, deliverance, restoration, or whatever else you need, and then say, “Father, I thank You…” And then proceed to call out the result you have in My Promise. The raising of Lazarus was one of Jesus’ greatest miracles. And He accomplished this by saying, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” He thanked His way to an awesome miracle. And that is standing on My Word and permitting no doubt to steal your victory.
The next time you find yourself praying, “God, please do this for me! Please give me…” stop! Instead, say, “Thank You Father, for hearing me. And because You have heard me, I thank You that I have what I asked for.” And when you thank Me, a wonderful thing happens in your heart, faith takes firm root and the little that you have will multiply. Like when Jesus thanked Me for the five loaves and two fish. Your impossible situations will turn around to reflect My provision. And resurrection life will hit you, for it is there for you in Jesus.
Look at My servant David. He lived a very amazing life in how he triumphed over every impossible situation he found himself in. He seemed trapped and hemmed in on every side often, but I was with him and he always won out in the end. He was NEVER even hurt in a battle and he was involved in some fierce struggles of war. And I promised him that his throne would endure before Me forever and that from his line would come the King of kings, the Messiah, who would reign forever. Jesus was called, and still is, the root and offspring of David. Why did I make such awesome promises to David and exalt him so high? I will tell you for I am no respecter of persons and you can have the same if you apply the same principles as he did. David had a heart that would not let go of Me no matter what. He never asked, “Why me?” When he had trouble, as he ran from Saul and hid in caves for 13 years though he had done no wrong, in fact, he was persecuted because of His excellence in all things, he never was bitter to Me or complained about his situation. He never believed anything except good about Me. I was to him his Father, his rock, his deliverer, his Shepherd, his refuge, his fortress, his savior, his Lord, his Light, his joy, His peace, and the faithful One ever at his side. This one thing he knew: that I was for him and would make things turn out good for him as he remained faithful to Me. He enjoyed Me and sang My praises even in his darkest times. Even when all looked lost, over, and gone, he encouraged himself in Me and sought My answer to his pain. And I gave him the victory, as he knew I would. He never did anything but thank Me and praise Me for the victory and My protection and My care for him no matter what or who came against him. No matter how formidable the enemy he knew he had a greater one with him. He saw Me as his Lord who fought his battles and trained his hands for war. I gave him strategies and battle plans. He knew that My eyes were always on him to do good for him. He called Me an ever-present help in time of trouble. He never despaired with Me there to lean on. David was all Mine. And he still is. And he is exalted, My Son is faithful to David forever.
And so I am to each one of you who has a heart for Me. Know I am for you and NEVER against you. Whether the situation you are in is caused by your sins or those of others, know I will make it work out well for you. Shalom and not evil. Just stay in My rest by casting your cares on Me with confidence of the answer and the rest will follow.
I love you. I am for you. Do you believe that? If you do, nothing can take you down. And the good thing is it is true. My Word is truth. I am for you, so who or what can ever be against you? I am the Most High. And I am yours. Forever. I am with you. Have no fear, only believe and you will see My Word come to pass. Guaranteed.