When God speaks a word – EVERYTHING changes! I love that we have a God who still speaks today. He speaks through His word, the Bible. He speaks in prayer. He speaks corporately to His church. And He even stoops down and speaks to each one of us, His children! He is a good Father!
This week a lady brought a poster to prayer. God of the Breakthrough. I stared at the picture. I looked up the scriptures. God is the God of our breakthrough. He comes to break through it all! (Anyone have a battle you need broken through?)
As I continued to stare at the picture and pray, I heard the word “Gilgal”. I’ve heard it off and on for the week, but in the busyness of life I would push the promptings to the side. I knew it was a place in the Israelites journey, but couldn’t remember the details.
So I opened up my Bible and I dove in to Joshua 4 & 5.
It was at Gilgal that the Israelites crossed over the Jordan from the Wilderness to the Promised Land. And at Gilgal the Lord commanded them to establish a memorial to the Lord. They gathered 12 large stones from the middle of the Jordan to make a monument.
Joshua 4:20-24 “And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, “What are these stones?” then you shall let your children know, saying, “Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is might, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
The hearts of the surrounding nations melted as they saw the power, protection and provision of God for His people. The testimony of God’s deliverance in our lives is powerful!
In Joshua 5, the people of Israel also renewed their covenant with God. They were willing and obedient to all of the Lord’s commands. In that moment, God spoke these amazing words: “’This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day. “ Joshua 5:9
I sense so strongly that for many of us we have been living under the “reproach of Egypt” in our lives. We might have come out of Egypt, but the reproach is still on us. It is time to cross over on dry ground, build a memorial to the Lord, obey His commands and watch Him roll away the reproach.
Reproach is defined as “a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Often we define ourselves by our reproach instead of by our redemption. It’s time to rise up in our redemption! It’s time for the reproach to be rolled away!
Years ago God gave me the song, Mighty Warrior. At the time I didn’t feel like a mighty warrior. I felt like a whipped wimp. But God spoke His redemption over me. He spoke His promise. He would come and remove the reproach of yesterday. It’s time to forget the past and behold the NEW He is bringing.
Oh friends, embrace your new season. Cross over on the dry ground. Your redemption draws nigh!
Mighty Warrior
Mighty Warrior wounded in battle
It’s time to arise and fight again
Mighty Warrior that struggles over
Rest in My peace deep within
For I’ve taken away the reproach of yesterday
I’ve taken away all your shame
I’ve taken away your filth and nakedness
And I’ve clothed you with my perfect love
Mighty Warrior that battles over
Forget the past behold all things new
Mighty Warrior don’t be discouraged
My faithfulness has carried you through
For I’ve taken away the reproach of yesterday
I’ve taken away all your shame
I’ve taken away your filth and nakedness
And I’ve clothed you with my perfect love
Mighty Warrior arise victoriously
Stand in my righteousness and know my strength
Mighty Warrior a new day’s dawning
And you’ll never, no never be the same
For I’ve taken away the reproach of yesterday
I’ve taken away all your shame
I’ve taken away your filth and nakedness
And I’ve clothed you with my perfect love
