Having looked at what David established we can now turn our gaze to what we can or are establishing. I frame it this way because there is no neutral ground. Decades ago, the Holy Spirit highlighted something to me in Galatians that is critical to how we live our lives.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV
Now, you may have read these verses many times and in doing so may have noticed that there is no third field. In all that we do we are either sowing to the flesh or the Spirit. Our actions are not neutral, we are always establishing something. In terms of what to establish Jesus gave us The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and He gave us The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). So, we know what we are to establish. We are to live, share and teach the gospel and pray for His kingdom and will to be manifest in our lives and world as they are manifest in heaven. These things are the primary calling of all believers. Which brings us to the how.
I focused in my previous posts on what took place with the worship David established before the Ark of the Covenant and how the prophetic psalms released there established the future. The current prayer movement around the world frequently combines worship and intercession. I believe that done with wisdom this further establishes His kingdom on the earth. We may think that everything is set regarding times and seasons but this is not what scripture teaches. Look at what Peter wrote.
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:11-13 (NKJV)
Catch the key phrase, ‘hastening the coming of the day of God’ preceded by ‘what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.’ Our behaviour influences the timing of the manifesting of His kingdom in His return (see also Titus 2:11-14). Given that what we do influences the timing of His return we need to exercise wisdom in all that we do.
Now back to worship and intercession. My ongoing experience is that focused meaningful worship stirs something up inside of me. As I give my heart in worshipping Jesus, I find myself more sensitive to His voice and more attuned to the spirit realm. I find scripture passages rising up inside of me. I find myself more aware of what He wants to speak into the lives of those around me. This happens because I am merely continuing what David established. I am before His throne of grace, the real Ark of the Covenant in heaven, I am being internally stirred and drawn by His Spirit and I have the opportunity to release life into the lives of those around me and into my culture.
I am convinced that if we engaged in worship with focused hearts and an expectation of doing what David did, establishing the future, we would have a far greater impact on the culture we live in. This is the history of the Welsh Revival, which was marked far more by worship than preaching. Evan Roberts, the human leader, would sit in His presence in worship then share what he was sensing, seeing or hearing. It changed a nation and sparks from the fire fell at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles and spread around the world, and that flame is still burning in many places. Every revival movement I have studied has been marked by fresh worship, transformed lives and cultural engagement.
I think key to seeing the scriptures below fulfilled is connected to intentional worship married to prophetic intercession.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NKJV)
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 (NKJV)
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10 (NKJV)
Look at the last phrase, ‘Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’ Let us embrace this and reflect on the question I started this series with. Individually and corporately, what are we establishing?
