In this particular time and season, my wife and I find ourselves in a very intentional season of preparing for something and we don't exactly know what it is. We can feel it tangibly within us that we are to get our physical house in order, our work (our places of employment) in order, as well as take inventory of our spiritual giftings and how we are stewarding them in our lives. We are certain that change and movement is fast approaching and we want to be found ready, steadfast, about the Father's business, and prepared (as much as we know how) for what is next and for what is coming. As prophetic people, we recognize that what we are hearing from the Lord and the stirring within us is not just for our family, but for many across the Body of Christ. We are hearing it in the spirit, from leaders, teachers, friends, and many others that a season of shifting and moving has come and we need to be ready to yield to whatever, whenever, and however the Lord chooses to direct us for His purposes and plans.
In January I turned 47. I asked the Lord what is significant about this year. He led me to Genesis 47:
“Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and their herds and all that they own, have come from the land of Canaan, and they are in the land of Goshen.” He took five men from among his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to his brothers [as Joseph expected], “What is your occupation?” And they said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers [before us].” Moreover, they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live temporarily (sojourn) in the land [of Egypt], for there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants [in our land], for the famine is very severe in Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen.” Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. The land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best of the land. Let them live in the land of Goshen; and if you know of any men of ability among them, put them in charge of my livestock.””
Genesis 47:1-6 AMP
In this passage, the Lord began to speak to me about this year. He said that this is a time of moving into a place of blessing, provision, and protection. This is not just for me and my family, but it will be a place for MANY to come and find prosperity in a time of famine. As He continues to unfold this word to me He has been revealing that PROVISION IS A PLACE. It is contingent upon my obedience through faith and movement towards where He leads. I began to look at other scriptures and passages where God reveals provision ONLY upon arrival to a particular place. There is action involved. Check it out:
“Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.”
Genesis 13:17 KJV
““Go from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan [River]. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to sustain you there [with food].” So he went and did in accordance with the word of the Lord; he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he would drink from the brook. It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.””
1 Kings 17:3-9 AMP
“After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.””
Revelation 4:1 AMP
This is what I hear the Lord saying: There is a new season on the horizon that has two paths.
Path 1: The first path is a call to journey to the prepared place called “provision”. Those who hear and heed the call will follow the leading of the spirit to a land of plenty “the best land”. It is NOT the promised land rather a place of provision for the coming time and season. The Lord has prepared this place and it will feed many and be a shelter from the storms, plagues, and famines that are coming as the Lord will judge both the righteous and the wicked alike. Those who follow the Lord to the place prepared for them will find life and life in full abundance.
“And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.”
Exodus 1:7 KJV
“For the Lord has chosen [the descendants of] Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own special treasure and possession. For I know that the Lord is great And that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all deeps— Who causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightning for the rain, Who brings the wind from His storehouses; Who struck the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and animal; Who sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh and all his servants. Who struck many nations And killed mighty kings, Sihon, king of the Amorites, Og, king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan; And He gave their land as a heritage, A heritage to Israel His people. Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your fame and remembrance, O Lord, [endures] throughout all generations. For the Lord will judge His people And He will have compassion on His servants [revealing His mercy].”
Psalms 135:4-14 AMP
Path 2: The second path is to remain and choose to "wait out" the coming storm from a place of familiarity and current comfort. On this path there is heavy rain, ceaseless storms, famine, and lack. The fire of heaven will fall and consume all the chaff and trample down the weeds that remain and those who choose not to follow the Lord to the place of prepared provision. Those that remain will experience the full storm of judgement of Egypt/Babylon with the wicked. It is a place of fiery trial and exposure because there is no hiding place or protection from what the Lord has purposed in this season. Many will grow weary and faint, however, those who endure will come out pure as good refined by the fire of heaven. Those who remain will be tried and for those who come out will be made new and testify of the goodness of God once again. Others will fall away in despair, their hearts growing cold and forsaking the Lord to attempt to find comfort in the land of oppression and slavery.
“and he said to the second angel, “Run, speak to that young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited [like villages] without walls [spreading out into the open country] because of the great number of people and livestock in it. For I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her [protecting her from enemies], and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ” “Hear this! Flee from [Babylon] the land of the north [which shall come under judgment],” declares the Lord, “for I have scattered you like the four winds of the heavens,” declares the Lord. “Hear, Zion (Jerusalem)! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon!” For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you—for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. Behold, I will wave my hand over them and they shall become plunder for their own slaves. Then you shall know (recognize, understand fully) that the Lord of hosts has sent Me. Sing for joy and rejoice, O Daughter of Zion; for behold, I am coming, and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the Lord.”
Zechariah 2:4-10 AMP
The call in this hour is to come up and out and choose to fully follow where the Lord is calling us (wherever that may be), it is a location, a place, a destination called "provision" and shelter from the storm. Like Noah building an arc in a time of drought, it may not make any sense, but like the arc it was a physical place of provision and protection that required faith and choice. The choice is ours which path we choose in this hour. May we choose Him!
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