“Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 (ESV)
Though the battle belongs to the Lord, every time Israel still had to show up! God doesn’t simply fight our battles. He requires us to show up. Jehoshaphat had to show up and worship as the troops marched to battle, then they watched God destroy a vast horde of enemy warriors. The young David had to take on the giant enemy named Goliath who had been taunting Israel for 40 days! Gideon had to rise up from his hiding in a winepress to gather the troops, reduce the troops, then show up against a mighty army with a mere 300 each carrying a sword and a torch. Against huge powerful enemy armies, Israel had to show up and let God do the fighting!
Jesus told us to “occupy” till He returned (Luke 19:13). The Ekklesia is meant to occupy, not by sitting around or hiding, but by storming the very gates of hell (Matthew 16:18)! We are the light of the world and salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). We’re the ones that He uses to shine His glory and season culture with His righteousness. You don’t do that from a place of hiding. Light exposes darkness, by going out into it!
But many have twisted the command to occupy till He comes to mean we are to sit, waiting for Jesus to return and rescue us before the darkness consumes the world! While they wait for the rapture bus to come, Jesus is coming to His bride to empower them to rise up. Darkness will not win. God is not coming to rescue us through a rapture. No! He is coming to us the fight for us in this hour. But we have to show up!
Cry out for God to release a new boldness and courage within the church, starting with your own. Ask Him to expose the lie that Jesus is coming to rescue His sick and weak church from the encroaching darkness! Yes, cry out for Him to come to His Church, to awaken her from her slumber and to equip her to reach and disciple the nations! Ask the Lord to show you any place where you have chosen to hide instead of engaging in this hour! We are about to see God do awesome in our world! Ask for eyes to see, ears to hear and a mind to understand what He is doing. Ask Him to show you where you need to show up!
