REMEMBER O LORD

12th November 2012

Beloved,

FOCUS: And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore (Isaiah 38:3)

Throughout the scripture, people stand on the integrity of their service to make demands on the supernatural. Think about Hezekiah. God himself told Hezekiah he was going to die. He turned his face to the wall and challenged that verdict. This was how he put it:Remember Lord how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart. You know what? God did change his mind because for Hezekiah to die would have gone against God’s own word. This might tickle some religious folks but that is the truth. God cannot go against his Word. He fulfills the number of days of those that serve him (Exodus 23:26). The main question is this: when your work is tested, shall it validate who you claim to be?

One guy appeared in the palace of Ahad, the king. They called him Elijah the Tishbite. This was what he told the king: As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word (1 Kings 17:1). Did you notice the last phrase, “according to my word”? That is being audacious; the word of a mortal man (a man of like passion) controlling heaven? His actions tested the validity of who he claimed to be. Read that verse again. Did you notice something? He said As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand. His demand was based on where he stood. Before whom are you standing? Psalms 24:3  said Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Let’s break this down. The person that shall stand before God is someone that lives a holy life, whose mind is renewed by the word of God, takes the word of God as the final authority and speaks the Word of God at all times. Do you think that God would have known if Elijah was just making mouth? His word (Elijah’s word) said there shall be no rain and there was no rain.

Now let’s talk about another man, Elisha. In most of the miracles he did he just spoke as if he was God himself. You can study it for yourself. When the widow whose husband owed so much came to him, he just gave her instruction and that gave birth to the oil that stayed (2 Kings 4:1-7). No prayers! With the shunammite woman that had no child, Elisha simply spoke “About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son” (2 Kings 4:16). With Naaman, he did not even talk to him directly. There was no mention of God and no long prayers. Friend, the long hollow prayers we pray are simply a reflection of how far our walk with God is. True! Find out for yourself how much prayer Peter and John prayed to get the lame man healed (Acts 3:1-9). They just spoke. We are talking about testing the validity of our walk with God.

Paul was in danger in a strange ship. All hopes were lost and then he had an encounter. Look at his next words Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me (Acts 27:25). What a certainty; what a confidence! But see what he said earlier For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve (Acts 27:23). Thus he was not just a christian, he also rendered quality service to God.

What is the quality of our service? When circumstances test the validity of who you are, will it stand?  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward (1 Corinthians3:14).

Hezekiah said “Remember O lord”. Elijah said “before God whom I stand”. What are you saying? Do you know what? Where you stand is a powerful tool for your manifesting divinity or deliverance.

When you speak, how shall God respond?

Shalom

Brother Godwin Enwere

Elder at Temple of Praise Geneva