(Take a close look at the cover of the journal for this month)
- “Look, a people rises like a lioness, and lifts itself up like a lion; it shall not lie down until it devours the prey” (Num. 23:24).
- “He lies down as a lion; and as a lion, who shall rouse him?” (Num. 24:9).
- “They shall walk after the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When He roars, then His sons shall come trembling from the west” (Hos. 11:10).
God’s People Are Lions and They Have to Roar!
We are so glad for how the Lord is using Fullstature Missions International to help apostolic centers rise up. Churches must begin to shift from being a local church to an apostolic center. The word the Lord is giving me for you is about lions.
The Lord specifically likens His people to lions. In Numbers 23–24, Balaam had been hired to curse Israel. But whenever he opened his mouth he spoke great blessing instead, and twice the Lord said Israel was like a lion.
When we know our identity, then we will rise up into it and act accordingly. We find preachers who try to tear down the apostolic and prophetic message in ignorance. So, what are lions like?
First, lions are rulers. “A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any” (Prov. 30:30). Even young school children know the lion is the king of the forest. The Lord has not only called us to walk with Him, but also to rule with Him in our daily lives. If we know we are lions, then we won’t turn away from situations or problems. David was like this. While others cowered in fear, he calmly looked at Goliath and was able to receive the strategy and assurance that he could and should face him; doing so, in turn, brought promotion and advance. When Christians know they are lions, they will be able to receive wisdom and the leading of the Lord. We will rule in situations and will advance.
Second, lions are bold. “The righteous are as bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1). Boldness is one of the qualities we are to pray for. When persecution against the early church began, the Christians prayed for boldness to continue speaking God’s word. The Lord was quick to pour this upon them and the whole place shook with His power. Acts 4:31 states, “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” They continued to speak out and the kingdom of God expanded rapidly. Be sure to accept this identity as a lion. The Lord will be quick to pour boldness into you. I think you will begin to see difficult situations crumble around you.
Third, lions roar and we need to as well. “A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8). When I say “roar,” I mean we need to declare things and prophesy things. This is different from praying and interceding. Of course praying and petitioning the Lord has always been and will always be important, but we also need to “roar.” In other words, we need to pray more boldly, and we need to make declarations. We need to declare that what God has said will come to pass, and we need to be bold about it. For example, there may have been so many prophecies about revival in your country, yet none have been fulfilled. As such, some might believe it wiser to only quietly pray and ask. But I think not. I think the time has come to boldly declare. So, I do declare revival for your church! I am asking for ways and means of broadcasting to the entire nation. Let’s ask boldly. It’s time to roar.
The Lord Himself is roaring now. His roaring is causing His people to rise up like never before. Again, Hosea states, “He will roar like a lion. When He roars, then His sons shall come trembling from the west” (11:10). Let’s roar with Him!
Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those also who hate Him flee before Him. So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: ‘Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered’” (Num. 10:35).
Advancing with the Lord: “Let God Arise and His Enemies Be Scattered!”
We are entering into a most exciting time. The Lord is moving as never before. It’s a time of miracles, a time of seeing unexpected things happen. Now is not the time to be spiritually asleep or discouraged. Rather, we must be people who are spiritually prepared and who are filled with His Spirit. That’s why I believe the Lord led me to talk about our identity as lions. Lions are bold and they roar. They have a confidence and act as if they were kings/rulers. This is our identity.
Truly, the Lord is roaring from Zion. “The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake” (Joel 3:16).
We will increasingly find that the enemy’s old foundations—the foundations of structures that resist God—will shake and be broken. New ministries, new strategies, and new resources are all beginning to come forth to those who are prepared in spirit.
Ponder on His word from Psalm 68:1, which states, “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered.” I feel this is a word for all who have ears to hear it, for all who are prepared in spirit.
It is a two-part promise. First, God is arising and scattering our enemies. Thus, things that have been lost or stolen will be returned. Health will be restored to those who have lost it. Families will be touched. Finances will begin to flow. Ministries that have been thwarted or stillborn will now come forth.
Second, the Lord is moving ahead. Those words, “Let God arise and His enemies be scattered” were spoken every time the Lord wanted to advance. God is advancing. We are His people and we must advance with Him. New things, new opportunities, and new ministries await. Amen.