The sun was setting as we waited outside the meeting tent. The outer court was teaming with people. Hot breezes stirred the sand forcing us to cover our faces with cloths. Someone at the back of the throng began to sing; Amazing grace how sweet the sound... We had no instruments, but soon voices began to blend together creating the most beautiful music I had ever heard. I could not stop myself; without realizing it my voice had joined with theirs. Without conscious effort the crowd began to kneel. Praises rang louder and louder. Some were singing, some were praying, some were speaking their praise to our Heavenly Father. Waves of uncontrollable weeping swept through the crowd. One and then another began to cry out for forgiveness, brothers and sisters; reconciling. Wisps of smoke filled the air around us, winding together; covering us. Power radiated through the crowd. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name there will I be in the midst of them."
We could not speak, we could barely breath. Gods presence rested so heavily, all we could do was listen.
"Have I not said I inhabit the praises of My people? You are My chosen one. I have anointed and appointed you. I am equipping you even now to fight the battles which will soon materialize. I am making you ready. I did not misspeak when I said many are called, few are chosen. Not everyone can undertake what I have called you to face. You are part of My front-line army and I have placed within you gifts, gifts which must mature. You have been longing for this for some time.You know which gifts. You also know what is standing in your way; what is keeping you from walking in the anointing I have placed on your life. Fear, pride, lusts, addictions... relinquish them to Me. The time is now! Are you ready to take your rightful place? Come out of the shadows! Serve Me with your whole heart! Surrender your ideas of holiness and clothe yourself in My holiness. Hate the things I hate, love the things I love. Lay aside every weight. Abide in Me. You are my chosen one."
I walked through the rotating door of the library. My nose is assaulted with the smell of books and my ears instantly absorbed the silence. My fingers began to tingle as I removed a pair of white cotton gloves from my pocket and slide them on. Anticipation quickens my steps as I made my way through rows and rows of shelves. My destination: a room ensconced behind a set of paned french doors. The plaque above the door reads "Ancient Texts and Scrolls." Here the silence is even more profound. The only sound is the gentle rustle of pages being turned one by one. I take a seat next to a scholarly looking gentleman, an attendant has my scroll ready. Gingerly I unroll it inch by inch until the characters come into view. The world outside is forgotten, the room fades away. As I read I hear the Father say:
" I have called you. I have ordained you. It is time now for you to step out and speak to My people. You are My minister in the Earth. You are My hands and feet. For too long you have been muzzled by those who did not want to train you up. You have been muzzled by those who saw what I have placed on the inside of you and were intimidated by your gifts. Because of them you have doubted what I have called you to do. For too long you have believed their lies. I say ENOUGH! I am removing the muzzle from your mouth. The time is now. Now is your time to do what I have placed in your heart to do. Like Ezekiel, you must eat the scroll. You must get My Word deep inside you. It will be as honey in your mouth. It will fill your belly with fire, and like Jeremiah you will have no choice but to speak it out. You will not be able to stay your tongue. I the Lord have spoken it. I am opening doors no man can shut. Divine appointments, divine connections. I am raising you from the ashes, and you will soar like the eagles. Do not be afraid. I AM with you always. Do not step to the right or to the left, consume My Word, and when you open your mouth to speak; My Word will flow forth."
"Child, have you not suffered enough? Do you not realize true life is only in Me? I Am the Creator of heaven and earth. I make the stars to shine, I cause the rain to fall from the skies. Can you not see, will you not hear? I am for you, I have always been for you! Why did you walk away from My covering, why did you take yourself out of My hand? You say you have suffered, and been treated unfairly. Have I been treated any less?
Have I treated you unfairly? Have I caused you to suffer? I make it plain in My Word; all good gifts come from Me. I do not change, and I do not make mistakes, I do not lie. Return to Me child. Step out of the desert, and into the green grass of My valley's. Step out of pain, and into My healing. Step out of your own wisdom and step into Mine.
How I love you child, how I long to be close to you. You are like a baby bird fallen from its nest. Return t o me little one. Do not fear, I Am not angry with you. My heart is broken for you, you are My child. You think you are too far gone. You think I will not welcome you once again, you think you have gone too far. Not true my child, I am waiting for you. I stand watching each and every day, patiently waiting for you to return to Me. Return to Me, I am your oasis in the desert. I am waiting right where you left Me."
I stand at the oceans edge, the foamy waves tickle my feet as they rush to the sandy shore. The sun is making its morning ascent, a dolphin makes a leap into the air, water droplets shine like diamonds. Longing... longing fills my soul to join him in the deep. What wonders I could see, what unknowns I could understand.
Before I realize it I have stepped into the salty brine ankle deep. My toes dig into the ocean floor. Fear sweeps through my heart. Fear of the unknown keeps me rooted where I stand. I want to go deeper... I battle the fear inside, maybe one more step.
The water is to my knees, then my waist. I am content here. I can still feel the ocean floor. The deep still calls...
Why can't I find the courage, why am I so afraid? The warm water laps against my body, I want to float, to swim to the deepest depths. I am almost there, a seagull screams out encouragement. One gentle push from my feet, one stroke of my arms... Two words softly spoken fill my heart. "Trust Me."
Floating, I can't touch bottom. Excitement and determination overtake my fear. I allow myself to sink. Swimming, deeper and deeper, I am overwhelmed by the beauty. I am overwhelmed by peace. As I take in the sights around me, He begins to speak.
"My child, you have allowed fear to rule your life for far too long. The depths that you swim in now only scratch the surface of what I wish to show you. What you think you understand, what you think you know is only a fraction of what I have hidden for you. Look beyond what you see in front of you, there is more. Desiring to know, to understand is only the first step. Obedience, true humble obedience and faith is the key that will unlock the mysteries. I have said that faith the size of a mustard seed would move mountains, do you believe it? Are you ready for Me to strip away the limitations man has placed on My Word? Are you ready for Me to strip away the scales from your eyes? Relinquish control and allow Me to take you deeper."
Words flow from my lips, on bended knees I bow. My only request is to be close to You. You are my only focus. My Earthly desires all seem so trivial, yet to You I know they are not. Tears stream down my cheeks as Your presence fills the room. Your face, how I long to see Your face! My heart cries out for Your glory; oh to see your glory, to be surrounded and filled to overflowing. How I long for Your glory to shine through me.
The weight of Your presence pushes me to the floor, face-down I lay engulfed in Your power. Praise fills my soul, and like a bubbling stream overflows its banks, adoration, honor and insufficient thanks rush from the deepest depths. Your Spirit rises up in me and a language only You can understand, pure anointing power washes away any vestige of present time and space. Floating now in Your river of anointing, I hear You speak.
"Precious one, your praise is a sweet smelling savor. Alone time with you is one of My greatest joys. I have so much to share with you, so much hidden that I desire to reveal. Abide in Me; and as you do so, I will abide in you. As you seek Me the more you will find Me, the more you will know Me.
There is much you do not understand. Questions that burden your heart, and circumstances that threaten to overwhelm you. Allow me to take those burdens, they are not yours to carry. I AM your all in all, the All Sufficient One. Do not focus on circumstances they are the evil one's way of trying to derail the plans I have set for you. Keep your eyes trained on Me, I will not allow you to sink. Rest in Me, I AM your fortress, your mighty stronghold. I AM your rearguard, I AM your shelter. I AM your friend."
The bitter cold wind whips across the battle field. Each blast cuts like a knife. Your hands are so cold you can hardly hold your sword in place. All around you the battle rages. Weeks, months, years... it has gone on so long you can hardly remember when it started. Fatigue threatens to bring you to your knees. Hunger gnaws at your belly, your heart cries out for relief. Each step forward propels you back three. Salty tears sting your parched cheeks and lips. You are ready to surrender in utter defeat.
The ground rises to meet you as you crumble to the hard packed Earth. You have nothing left, you cannot go on. Your eyes close for the briefest of moments... time stands still.
Peace.
The bitter wind is no longer blowing. Warmth radiates into your frozen fingers, your tears are wiped away. Sweet honey coats your lips, a gentle voice begins to speak.
"Warrior, I have not forgotten you. I Am your help in time of trouble. I Am your strength when you are weary. I Am the One who will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. I Am the finisher of your faith. I have not now nor will I ever leave or forsake you. You DO NOT battle alone. I Am the Alpha and Omega, and I have called you for such a time as this. I have ordained you My minister in the Earth. You are MY warrior, I Am your shield. When you are weak, then I Am strong; I Am the over-comer. No weapon formed against you will prosper. Heed My Word: Weapons will be formed against you, destruction will try to overtake you. I said THEY WILL NOT PROSPER! Rise warrior! The battle is not over. Walk in My footprints, I will not lead you to the right or to the left. My way is true and everlasting. My way is Truth. I have placed My Word in your mouth. Speak it. Do not fear. Remember I have seen your end at your beginning, this battle is not the end. You will emerge victorious. Rise warrior! Rise up, take up your sword and follow Me."
You open your eyes and the battle rages still. You pick yourself up off the ground. Your sword does not feel as heavy. Energy and fire surge through your veins. One step and then another, A battle cry rings from your throat.....
