From the beginning of our online gathering on 5th January we were reminded that every time we gather, worship and wait upon God, we do not do this in isolation, but as a part of the whole Body of Christ.
The dominant theme throughout our time together was that the God whom we worship is the Lord of time and His timing in ALL things is perfect. He is never surprised, He is never too early or late. Therefore our prayer is that we are aligned with His timing in all things, which comes about by our immersion in His presence and our ever deepening submission to Him.
The following are some of the images and words from our gathering:
- Word: ‘The hedges are high but don’t prune them yet’.
- Word: ‘Slow down’ – the sense of something being forced that needs time to come into being. “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Hab 2.2-3).
- The duration of a pregnancy is according to God’s design. Each day, week and month provides a ‘programme’ of development, growth and provision for a healthy birth and life. A premature birth may have complications and should not be desired. The child in the womb is intended to know peace in the waiting. Too often we struggle with waiting, but we can know peace in the waiting and in the birthing in the measure that we are in Christ. In His mercy and kindness, God gives us insight into what is happening and what is to come. Our model is Jesus, who lived in peace, rest and trust in the Father’s perfect timing. We need to actively resist the ‘instant’ demands of our culture.
There are some images from scripture which may be considered alongside the image of the baby in the womb being bathed in amniotic fluid for 40 weeks: Jesus was baptised (in water) and then spent 40 days in the wilderness; the children of Israel went through the Red Sea (like a baptism) and then spent 40 years in the wilderness.
- A word for discernment: ‘”On this night of nights when all the world is still and quiet, listen to My voice as I spell out to you what is needed – hearts that are open, minds ready to receive My words. All I want to say is : trouble is coming, disaster is all around you, but My Church will sail on smoothly through it all. Clap your hands, rejoice that I am with you to master the storms and troubles and privations all around you. Be still and know that I am God.”
- A baby in the womb has a limited awareness of what is happening outside of the womb. This is similar to our life in this world (as if in a womb), during which we have a limited level of awareness of the full reality of heaven and earth. Jesus knows the level of our awareness because He humbled Himself to becoming fully human, being formed within Mary’s womb, even though He is now the fullness of all we are waiting for. In the same way, we need to learn from Him, recognising our total dependency upon God during the time of our life on earth. We tend to see things only in the light of our earthly lives rather than in the context of eternity. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5.3).
- Picture: A ticking clock. Each tick was the sound of a lock being unlocked. The unlocking determines the pace (timing) of what is happening, according to God’s plan. He is the One who is doing the unlocking.
- We are called to live in an ever deepening commitment to “the obedience that comes from faith” (Rom 1.5). We need to receive God’s Word in its fullness, without applying our own ‘filters’.
- Ps 68.1: “May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.” David wrote these words, reiterating the words spoken by Moses each time the Ark of the Covenant set out from the camp of the Israelites in the wilderness. The tribes of Israel only moved when the pillar of cloud – the Lord’s presence – moved. They knew their need, as David did, of God’s presence.
- A word for discernment: “There is no surer way than simply being before Me and (to) relax into My bosom and feel safe. Your safety is My priority.”
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16.33)
- Jesus spelled out to His disciples what would be the signs of the ‘end times’, but added “All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matt 24.8). We will know inner peace in the measure that we are convinced of God’s Sovereignty. He is working His purposes out. Jesus warns, “See to it that you are not alarmed.” (Matt 24.6). The Lord has been warning us “Your opinions get in the way of you hearing me”. God is shaking everything. We need to beware of thinking we won’t be shaken!
- Interpretation of a ‘tongue’: “My beautiful children, I stand at the doorway of your hearts and knock. I long to eat with you. I have prepared a banqueting table in the midst of your enemies. Come and feast with me. Meditate on the victory of the cross. It’s time to rise up.” There is a sense that God is grieved because we are walking in so little of what He has won for us on the cross.
We spent time in prayer at various points during our gathering. In particular, we surrendered to the Lord our thoughts and opinions on what we think is, or should be, happening. We pray for the Lord’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken….You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Ps 16.7,8,11).
