Sunday, September 13, 2009

All-consuming fire

Yesterday morning, while praying for thePlan and MYPG4, God brought me to Joshua 11. He revealed certain things about the whole movement that I feel compelled to share them with you. I shall post the main parts of the chapter that got me, so it'll be easier for to read.

Joshua 11:1-9
And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

Joshua 11:23
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
The story of victory is cool enough, but I thought I'd study further. These are certain names of kings and places (I didn't have time to look up all).

Jabin - intelligence
Jobab - howler
Hazor - collective village
Dor - dwelling/age/generation
Merom - height

If we're going to look at things the way the world does, we're going to doubt our radical ideas of transformation. Wisdom of this world, of this age, will be sitting on her high horse howling at us.
"It can't be done... Where are you going to get the resources? The people?... Ah the church nowadays not interested... You wanna be thrown out the window?... You all young young why think so serious? Go study get a job earn money can de what... Malaysia no more hope. Migrate only lah!... Kena tangkap go ISA then only you know... How to change people's mind? Impossible... Got tuition... What for? They don't deserve any compassion... The world's going to end anyway.... You gila kah?"

Opposition came from all sides. They numbered like the sand on the shore. But God said, "Be not afraid." He's saying the same thing now. He's going to deliver us. But that's not the end. When Joshua and the people fought against the armies, they chased them to three places.

Zidon - catching fish

Misrephoth-maim - burnings of water

Mizpeh - watchtower


Actually when I first read burnings of water, I thought of all the boiling water visions. But then my mom pointed out the story of Elijah vs. 400 Baal priests, and how the fire from heaven licked up the water. So I'm telling ya, it'll be an all-consuming fire we've never seen before. Amazing yeah?



So thePlan and MYPG4 is in a week's time. I realize that the time leading up to it is going to intensify. The enemy's going to use all possible ways to hinder and rob God's glory. But God tells us, "Be not afraid. I will deliver you." Let us keep pressing on the upward way, before, during and especially after the conference. Let us cling to His faithfulness and promise, that "tomorrow this time (when tomorrow is I don't know but it's soon!)" the cities will be set alight by a heavenly fire, as His children keep watch over the cities, and call all men unto Him.

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam -- for the greater glory of God.
Charmain