Warriors Arise: July 11, 2021
Matthew 18:10-14 (NKJV) “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Let me set a found for what is on my heart. It is a revelation that is messing with my heart. To think God is so absolutely amazing He would leave the ninety-nine and go for the one that is missing, the one that walked off, the one that rejected His love, protection, and provision. Which is totally unheard of. Why would God waste His time on one? Especially one who went astray. It wasn't the shepherds' fault the sheep went astray. To God, fault is not the issue. The issue is that You are His. He will not leave you to your own demise or destitute without offering You a way back. He is the one who put purpose in Your life. He is the one who created You with a destiny. He is the one who is putting things in motion for your to accomplish all He dreams You would be and do. He looks to see if you will identify your error, embrace your calling, and receive His love so you can return to your place.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV) For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
The Scripture was written thousands of years before Jesus walked the earth. How many time has Jesus seen God go after someone who had lost their way and gone astray? He spoke through a burning bush to Moses, the Lord of Hosts spoke to Joshua, the angels spoke to Mary, Joseph, the three women at the tomb, etc, and the Holy Spirit came upon Samson, Saul and others. God knows our heart. He comes after us to realign us with our purpose.
Romans 8:27-30 (NKJV) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Have you ever entertained the idea that God sent Elimelech and Naomi to Moab to get a lost sheep, a sheep He had purpose for? I had always wondered why Elimelech would take his family and sons away from their promise land. God specifically says He will provide in the place He has promised. But Elimelech leaves the place of promise to make things work for himself. But what if God had seen Ruth's heart from a child? What if He said, "I've got to go after that one"?
I hurt for Naomi losing her husband and her two sons. My heart aches that she was left alone in a foreign land. She had obviously poured into Orpah and Ruth. They cried and begged to stay with her and journey back to Israel. But God knows the heart and mind of every person. If you are a Christian, do you see how you are one decision away, one missed opportunity, being at the wrong place at the wrong time and your could miss out on what God has for you. But God reached you where you were and you embraced His offer. You accepted Jesus into Your life as Your Lord and Savior. Think about life prior to Christ as your Savior.
What if there had been change? Do you think you would have received the Salvation God offers through the sacrifice of His Son? I really don't know. I can't answer that. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior as a very early age. People would like to argue that I didn't know I needed a Savior but somehow, God made sure I understood. Somehow my young mind knew I needed Jesus. Life was completely out of control and there was no solid ground. We would sing this song, "On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand." It was shortly after my 4th birthday when I needed a solid rock to stand upon. My mother was losing her ability to walk. She went from a cane to a walker it seemed like overnight. MS was activate in her body. I didn't understand MS. I didn't understand what it was doing to her. Fear was my constant companion. So when I heard the adults singing, "On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand..." I knew I needed Jesus Christ in my life. My world was falling apart. Most of you know for a 3 year old, their mother is their world. My mother is who prayed with me to receive Jesus. I remember where we were when I approached her. I didn't know how to express my fears and uncertainty in life. I just knew I needed this solid rock. I needed Jesus.
As I think of the story of Ruth, through the eyes of the Scriptures listed above, I can't help but wonder if God did a search and rescue mission by sending Elimelech, Naomi and her sons to Moab. God hand picked Ruth to be Boaz's wife, in the lineage of Jesus Christ, His Son. Think about it. Boaz is wealthy and older. He should have already had a wife but he didn't. He was the male line leading to Jesus. If Boaz doesn't marry then Jesus is born into a different family line but it had to be Boaz. Why Ruth? Why not an Israelite maiden? Just like God selected Mary, He hand picked Ruth.
Did God send Elimelech and Naomi after the lost lamb that would be grafted into the linage of Christ? Is that how God pursued you? What about those around you? Do you see God going after the lost sheep scattered as if they do not have a shepherd?
Is this your day to receive Jesus Christ as the Rock upon which you stand? I know you have hurt and your don't understand why life has been so hard, but could it be that God wants to bring good out of your heartache? He has positioned You through your pain to bring the lost sheep into the kingdom of heaven, into the King's fold? In the midst of your pain, God can bring someone alone side of you who thinks they are there to help you; but you are really the one to lead them to their promised land, their purpose in life and ultimately blessing you and bringing glory to God.
Father, You are amazing in all of Your ways. I do not understand how You can love us so much. I do not understand how Your heart pours out to bring freedom to the captives, to restore the lost and help the brokenhearted. You are amazing. I stand in awe of You. You see the heart of each person. You speak to people, like Moses and invite them to return to the calling You placed not heir life. You send Your Spirit to give them another chance to walk in Your will, like Samson. You send the Lord of Hosts to give direction and lead Your people Your way knowing the battle belongs to the Lord not to Joshua. You send Your angels to minister to Your people and give messages to get us back on the path to walking out Your will in our life. I stand in awe of You. You have gone after me, just like You go after so many others. I pray today that hearts will be open and Your name will be glorified for You are the only One whose love reaches every corner of the earth and every fiber of our being. Your love is astounding as it redeems us and places us back into the dreams You have placed in our lives. You are amazing and I worship You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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, riots, and lies. 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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