It’s time for the David's to arise with prophetic warfare strategies that bring God’s will to the land.
Ezekiel was a patriotic prophet. He proved
his love for the nation of Israel over and over again in ways
that were sacrificial, uncomfortable and downright humbling. In
utter obedience to the word of the Lord, Ezekiel, for example,
married an unfaithful prostitute. In total submission to the
Spirit of God, Ezekiel laid on one side of his body then the
other for months on end.
In fact, in an effort to demonstrate the
heart and mind of God, Ezekiel executed some of the strangest
prophetic acts in the Bible. Ezekiel wasn’t the only patriotic
prophet in the Word of God, though. There are many nationalistic
nabis in the Word of God. Indeed, prophets who were loyal to God
and country at all costs mark the annals of the prophetic
ministry. I pray that this same spirit will sweep over every
prophet in every nation today.
Whether you are a watchman assigned to the
United States of America, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, or
some other nation that is under attack from dominion-seeking
false religions, oppressive governments, or secular humanistic
ideology (and it’s hard to think of a nation where that
description does not apply) your role is to stand in the gap and
intercede for God’s will. The way I see it, instead of boasting
about how we are ‘prophets to the nations’ we should make doubly
sure that we are prophets to our own nations first. After all,
they say, charity begins at home.
The Lord recently gave me a powerful
prophetic word for the U.S. – and a spiritual warfare strategy
that’s so simple a child could implement it. But that revelation
didn’t fall into my lap while I was crying out to God for a new
car and financial increase. No, it came after days of repeatedly
standing in the gap for this nation and its leaders, pleading
with Him for mercy, petitioning for a hedge of protection – and
repenting for the sin that is committed in this land. Instead of
pronouncing judgment on some states and declaring curses over
others as we so often see in today’s prophetic circles, We broke
the curses and bound the enemy’s plan to steal, kill and
destroy. I know many of you are doing the same thing and I thank
God for your faithfulness.
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Falling on your face in deep repentance and
asking God to heal the land may not sound as exciting to many as
hollering at the devil and fervently flailing your arms. And I
agree that it’s not as much fun in practice, but it’s not about
showing off spiritual warfare skills, is it? It’s about standing
in the office of the prophet, functioning in that role the way
God directs. There are times to shout the victory the way the
Israelites did at Jericho. And there are times to weep and cry
in repentance, as did Jeremiah. I would urge you, prophets and
intercessors, to seek God for the prophetic warfare strategy
that God wants to execute in this time and this season.>
Remember King David, a prophet and a mighty
man of war? David consulted God with the memorable query: “Shall
I go up?” But as David matured he wasn’t always satisfied with a
“yes” or “no” answer from his Commander in Chief. He depended on
the Lord to offer him an assurance of victory, a specific,
customized prophetic warfare strategy, and specific instructions
for battle. Pressing in for prophetic strategies is a sign of
maturity because, I dare say, young prophets may spend a lot of
time screaming at the devil, or as the Apostle Paul put it,
buffeting the air. In doing so, it’s quite possible that they
could wind up fighting against the very will of God.
Like David, our spiritual warfare must be
waged from a position of victory. That means knowing who you are
in Christ and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who
believe. Know this: Although God’s battle plans are always
successful, they may differ from skirmish to skirmish. That’s
why we need prophetic strategies. Just because Joshua and the
Israelites marched around Jericho seven times, let out a shout,
and watched the walls fall down doesn’t mean that’s applicable
for every situation (Joshua 6). (The Lord has never directed
anyone I know to do such a thing.) Likewise, just because
Jehoshaphat and his crew defeated the enemy with praise and
thanksgiving without ever lifting a finger to fight doesn’t mean
that will work in all occasions (2 Chronicles 20). Praise is
always appropriate, but sometimes you have to enter into the
battle with the whole armor of God and fight.
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David understood this. When he encountered
the Philistines at the Valley of Rephaim the first time, he
inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go attack the Philistines? Will
you hand them over to me?” The Lord responded, “Go, for I will
surely hand the Philistines over to you” (2 Samuel 5:19 NIV).
David was victorious in battle, but he didn’t let it go to his
head. When the Philistines came up and spread out in the valley
the second time, David didn’t make presumptions. He inquired of
the Lord again. This time, the Lord had a different battle plan:
“Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack
them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound
of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly,
because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to
strike the Philistine army” (2 Samuel 5:23-24 NIV).
Of course, David and his mighty men won
again, striking down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to
Gezer.
It’s important to note here that David was
fighting for his nation. His acts were patriotic. He was a
deliverer. He was a warrior. He was a reformer – all earmarks of
true prophets. Sure, David could have rested in his popularity
after defeating Goliath. He could have sent his army out to do
the fighting. Or he could have rushed out in arrogance against
any and every enemy whether it was God’s timing or not. But
David didn’t do that. His concern was not merely for himself. It
was for the nation of Israel.
David’s battle plans often started with
prayer: “Shall I go up?” He sought prophetic warfare strategies
that preserved a nation from its enemies by putting God’s will
first. I challenge you, prophets and intercessors, to follow
David’s example. Stand for your nation. Seek prophetic
strategies. And watch God restore Kingdom culture in your nation
just as it is in heaven.
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