Warriors Arise: August 31, 2023
Matthew 4:12-17 (NKJV) Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus knows it is time to get down to business. He won the battle for a reason. He had purpose in His heart stoked by the love He has for the Father and each one of us. He came that we would one day be with Him in heaven. Moving on the momentum of the victory over the devil, the people need to know God has not abandoned them. God, the Son is coming to them for one purpose. He will lay down His life for their freedom. Jesus quotes in the temple the following.
Isaiah 61:1-2 (NKJV) “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
I have to ask myself, "Do I comprehend what it means for Jesus to come? For this to be the year of favor and the day of vengeance?" Jesus came back to demonstrate God's love, love that is everlasting, it is a love without end. The favor of God upon our lives is for those who will receive it. I can favor my children, but if they reject what I am giving them, it isn't that they are out of my favor, it is that they didn't receive the favor I was giving. You and I have a choice to receive this declaration in our life.
Have you received God's favor? If you haven't why haven't you?
What does favor look like to you?
What do you think Jesus is talking about when He quotes this passage?
I ask these questions for myself, because it took many years for me to truly embrace being favored by God. I wanted to make excuses for why I shouldn't be or that He wasn't speaking to me or about me when He declared this. I took the focus off of God and placed it upon myself. Therefore, I missed out on the favor of the Lord upon my life because I didn't believe He was talking to me.
When Jesus came the year of the favor of the Lord was unlocked for all who would receive. We Jesus came the day of vengeance of our God was set in motion. Jesus only gave the devil another taste of the defeat to come when he came to tempt Him in the wilderness. Jesus departing Galilee was another step to establishing God's kingdom here on earth and unraveling the devil's domain. Jesus heads to fulfill yet another Scripture. His actions reveal the who He is and what He is there to do. Jesus didn't go to john in prison but he did pick up John's message and add to it, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." The message must be told. The people need to be set free, know God's love and walk in the fulness of what He offers.
Father, I pray for You to guide my steps. I am incredibly thankful for all You have done to show me what I need to do. I serve You not as a servant but as one who wants to be a part of what You are doing. I want to be involved in the family business. I want Your kingdom to prosper here on earth. I want to be a part of the expansion of Your kingdom. Your love amazes me. I am in awe of You. I pray I would be about Your business and release Your words of freedom to others. I pray they would Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. I pray for Your kingdom to be established her on earth. I pray for You message of repentance, redemption, and restoration to be heard and received every day in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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