In our last study we talked about our weapons of warfare. These weapons are...
"...mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds!"
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringeth captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" II Corinthians 10:3-5
"powerful to God in order to demolish fortresses"
We have two powerful God-given weapons to demolish fortresses. I am reminded of September 11th as I sat watching the clip of the first plane hitting the Word Trade Center. I was at work, it was early in the morning. Suddenly out of nowhere another plane comes careening into the building with such intensity and force that the top of the building seems to explode into a ball of fire. At first there was such confusion, no one knew if it was just a rerun of the first or if we were actually viewing a second plane. Who will ever forget where they were when that news came in. It was a moment frozen in time which all of us will carry in our hearts forever. With the same intensity (or greater) God has given us two weapons which will literally demolish (utterly destroy) the fortresses or strongholds which we have built up in our minds! Can you imagine that we have allowed buildings of such porportion to be built stone by stone inside of us. BUT THE WORD SAYS WE HAVE THEM. I would love to have my strongholds utterly destroyed, how about you? As I pray from now on I will visualize the destruction of those fortresses. What power, what sheer force is capable of the same and greater destruction?
The Word of God coupled with
Spirit empowered prayer destoys any fortress!
I dont know about you, but that makes me excited! That makes me want to use the tools God has given us. That makes me want to shout from the rooftops. There have been times when I have wearied in prayer. It has become common place and mundane. And then God, in His infinte mercy allows me to see what He has shown me today and suddenly that first love springs forth again. "The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." God has put the fervor back in prayer. In the past I would have compared prayer to a stick of dynamite to get me going, but God has given me new perspective. Prayer has the power to bring down my fortresses, my buildings of offence.
I feel like singing a song here, it is rolling out of my spirit...
Who is like our God, who is like our King
I, your servant, bow my knee, worship and sing,
Joyfully, thankfully, in the fear of God, gratefully.
Put a new song in this old heart
That my life might be a sacrifice to Thee
Father, we thank you that we can come toYour throne of grace and lay ourselves out before You. You have given us bold, confident access. You know us, You made us. No part of us is hidden from You. Search through us and destroy those vain imaginations, tear down the fortresses that have been built up within us. Cleanse us from unrighteousness as we draw nigh unto You. Purify our hearts so that we can be vessels fit for your service, cleansed by Your very hand. Empty us... that we might be filled... and poured out to the those around us as a token of Your love. In Jesus name we pray, Amen |
