Life is a journey, and there are things that happen along our journey that we won’t always understand. But, if we will trust God and with faith and obedience keep following Him, He will order our steps down the path of His destiny and purpose. Every step and act of faith in God we take, result in the accumulation of valuable experiences with Him that will be beneficial for us as we move into the future that is unfolding.
Experience is a game-changer! Someone once said, “A man with experience is never at the mercy of a man with an opinion.” As we walk with the Lord, we will experience His willingness and ability to keep us, provide for us, heal us and deliver us, and we will emerge from every circumstance with a stronger confidence and an unshakable faith in God that can only come from experience.
The story of David and Goliath illustrates the difference that having experience with God can make in a person’s life. For David, the showdown with Goliath was a defining moment. The destiny inside David had met up with its prophetic timing, and whether he realized it or not, that event wasn’t just about defeating a giant; it was a moment that would forever change history. I’m sure that David didn’t realize the magnitude of the moment he had stepped into, but his past experiences with the Lord had prepared him for the transition that was about to take place. As David heard the giant mocking God and the armies of the Lord, a righteous indignation rose in him that provoked him to take a stand that no one else was willing to take. David wasn’t the most qualified. According to men’s standards, he wasn’t even properly equipped to take on such a fight. But he had courage within him that the others on that hillside did not seem to possess. When David ran into that valley, it was his past experiences with the Lord that became a force that gave him uncommon confidence to face and defeat that giant!
As I was pondering this story, I heard the Lord say:
There is an event coming that has been on My calendar, and there will be those who will stand on the front lines to face what no one else can face, other than a David with experience. So, I say, gather up those experiences and stand ready. Remind yourself of what I have done for you and in you in the past. Remember My faithfulness, and stand firm in your faith in Me. The curtain is about to rise to reveal the stage for this defining moment, and My bold Ekklesia will be presented to this nation and to the world, equipped and ready to enforce and advance My original plans and intentions.
So, rise up, David! There is a cause. Stand! It’s time! You are not alone. Remember Me. Gather up your experiences and turn to face that giant with a confident knowing that I Am greater in you than anything that has been formed to work against you. Let faith arise and secure your footing as you release this confident declaration: “The battle is not mine; it belongs to the Lord! I am anointed to hold the sling, and I take my place. Experience has taught me that God is with me, and He will order my aim, and the giants will fall!”
God has said to me several times while praying over this year, “2024 will be a year of the revealed glory of God.” We are in a definite defining moment. I know we have heard that before, but it’s true! Defining moments are critical moments. They are also “deciding” moments. When the giant in that valley was mocking God and the army of Israel, a defining moment was unfolding, and someone had to make a decision to step forward. Everyone there was hearing the mocking coming from the giant. Saul and his armies were far more equipped to do something about it, but overcome by fear and intimidation, the decision they made was to stand idle. But David’s experiences with God had taught him that God is good, able, and faithful! The timing of God, combined with his experiential knowledge of God, provoked David to resist fear and step into that moment with a courage that enabled him to impact history.
I’m sure we have no full understanding of the magnitude of the life-changing transition we have moved into, but for many of us, the process is now giving way to purpose. This defining moment is requiring the Church to make a decision. Will we stand idly by while darkness covers the earth, or will we shine with the light of the glory of God and become history makers? For those with ears to hear, the Lord is saying, “It’s time to gather up your experiences and step into this defining moment with courageous faith in Me and with undaunted expectation to see My power and glory revealed.”
The following is a word God spoke to a very trusted friend of mine, and I feel it’s an encouraging word for the Ekklesia:
You must see the way in front of you and allow My Holy Spirit to lead you in your navigation process. My plan is to guide you and prod you to stay on the course I have already laid out. I have woven over you the plans for the rest of your life, but they mean little to nothing if you are not willing to follow and step where I direct. I see the willingness in you to do so, and I will fulfill the promises that I have spoken.
I will make the path navigable, but you must remain sensitive to My Spirit’s leading, for there is no other way to even stay on the path, much less thrive on it. Allow Me to reposition what needs to be repositioned and to deal with what needs to be dealt with. I Am on your side, fighting for you, so no matter the fray you sometimes find yourself in, I’ve got you covered under the shadow of My wings.
Events are unfolding now that are requiring the people of God to step up and be what we’ve been becoming. Doors are opening that are leading us into opportunities and connections that are necessary to position us for His purposes to be fulfilled. Experience has taught us that He is with us, and He will guide us. So, remember what you have learned and remember what He has said. Stay ready at all times to take those courageous leaps of unrelenting faith in God that will enable us to impact history!
Pray with me.
Father, we hear the mocking and the jeering of the giants in our land. We see that fear has wrapped itself around the minds of many, causing them to stand idle and even compromise their faith. But You have an uncompromised remnant that will not bow to the influence of fear and intimidation. We are equipped with experience that has taught us that You are faithful and that You are greater in us than anything that has been formed to work against us. You are fighting for us. As this defining moment unfolds, we will stand, and declare Your Word and Your faithfulness. Within ourselves, we cannot face the giants, but You have filled us with Your Spirit, and it is by His enabling power that we will take our place. The battle belongs to You! And we will boldly stand and release our prayers, obedience, and faith-filled decrees. We are confident that You will order our aim, and the giants will fall. In Jesus’ name and authority, we pray! Amen!
Our decree:
The timing of God, combined with our experiential knowledge of God, is provoking us. We resist fear, and we step into this moment with courage and faith in God that will enable us to impact history, all for the glory of God!
Portions of this blog were taken from Gina’s book, Awakening the Church to Awaken a Nation.
