Warriors Arise: July 26th, 2020
John 20:24-27 (NKJV) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
God is not afraid of what we might ask. When the other ten disciples testified that Jesus had come in the midst eight days earlier Thomas we pretty bold and even arrogant in his response. Not that we heard the other ten say something so bold to Mary who spoke to Jesus at the tomb nor the two men who traveled back from Emmas; but they didn't believe what they were being told either.
John does not tell us what they had been doing while they were waiting for Jesus to return and reveal Himself to Thomas. However, I would like to think since they saw Jesus they applied a few of the lessons He taught them. What do you do when you are waiting for God to intervene?
After Luke shares in chapter 11 the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray, he records a few more lessons in conjunction with prayer. The first lesson Luke records is in regard to a friend coming at midnight to ask for help.
Luke 11:5-8 (NKJV) And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Seems like a simple request. All he wants is three loaves of bread; but it is the middle of the night. The head of the house wouldn't even know if he had three loaves of bread. He would have to wake his wife. And how many of us, after our little children are settled in bed, want them to then have an excuse to get out of bed and start the whole "going-to-bed" process again.
In Jesus' example in Luke 11:5-8, what did He say about the man getting out of bed to get the bread? It had nothing to do with where their relationship stood. Sometimes relationship isn't enough. Some people wonder why God answers a person's prayer who doesn't go to church, worship God, pray regularly or have diligent time studying the Word. Those things are really good for building relationship. They are excellent for understanding God and His ways; but in this case, Jesus is sharing a parable. He made up the parable in order to illustrate a point. This time, it wasn't about being friends. The man got out of bed because his friend was persistant. His friend would not go away. And Jesus ends the parable saying the man got up out of bed and gave him as many as he needed.
I'm not sure if Jesus returned to meet Thomas' request out of friendship or persistence but He did return. He spoke specifically to Thomas and He answered his request.
I'd like to think the disciples were praying for those eight days. I would like to think they were living out the lessons of prayer Jesus had taught them. Jesus tells a number of parables demonstrating the importance of being persistent in asking. Persistance is effective.
Jesus told another parable in Luke 18.
Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV) Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
Jesus is teaching those who will hear. He is telling us persist in prayer. Continue to petition God that fear be bound and peace unleashed all over the world. Petition God for lies to be exposed and dealt with quickly and truth to be made known. Petition God for the health of His people. Petition God for safety from COVID-19 and the riots, hate crimes and domestic terrorism. Petition God to speak to you in regard to your family's safety, what to be involved in, where to go and who you are to be around. Petition God to stop the chaos of thinking we can protect ourselves and recognize that He is the only one who can protect us.
Jesus continues with His own admonition for those who will hear in the parable of the persistent woman.
Luke 18: 6-8 (NKJV) Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
If you can turn the mind of an unjust person through persistence then how much more can we turn the mind of God through persistent prayer? Those who will cry out day and night to Him? He will avenge; He will make restitution make whole and complete. Shalom Akeilem!
Father, fear is raising its ugly head again. I bind up fear in the name of Jesus and loose peace that surpassing all understanding. I want to walk in the fullness of Shalom Akeilem. I receive restitution for the things the enemy has stolen from me. He has tried to steal my health. I rebuke the enemy for stealing my health. I bless my body to respond as You have created it. My body will learn sickness and resist it. My body will be made strong, completing the tasks before me. My body will be renewed in the night time. I will rest and not grow weary. I will run and not faint. I will stand and not be moved, because my God is faithful to sustain and strengthen me in the day of battle. I bless my mind to be set free from lies. I will identify the facts and follow the wisdom of my Lord. I will walk in the truth and not be deceived, for my God is with me wherever I go. I will seek the Lord while He may be found. I will listen to what You are saying. I will do as You say to do. I will not lean on my own understanding but walk with You. I will not listen to those who spew lies and disregard facts and reality. I will search out a matter and be taught by my God. I ask for You to minister to Your people. I ask for believers to not waver in this time but remain vigilant in prayer. I ask for You to guide Your people into righteousness. I ask for You to strengthen us as the enemy seeks to come while we are weary in the waiting. I ask for You to renew our purpose and trust Your ways in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. 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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