warning

The Arrows are Beyond You

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“Look, the arrows are beyond you.”  That was an encrypted message sent by Jonathan to David who would eventually become the king of Israel.  When Jonathan, the son of King Saul, found out that his father desperately wanted to kill David, he went to the field with his bow and arrow to shoot the arrows and to give a message of warning.  Jonathan was speaking to a young boy who was with him telling him where the arrows were so he could fetch them, but he was also speaking to David who was nearby.  This manner of secret communication was set up by David and Jonathan so David could escape for his life or return to his place with King Saul.

SCRIPTURES

“Then I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target; 21 “and there I will send a lad, [saying,] ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I expressly say to the lad, ‘Look, the arrows [are] on this side of you; get them and come’–then, as the LORD lives, [there is] safety for you and no harm. 22 “But if I say thus to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows [are] beyond you’–go your way, for the LORD has sent you away.  I Samuel 20:20-22

When David yelled out, “Look, the arrows are beyond you,” he was telling David that his life was in danger.  He was telling David, you are still in the strike zone of King Saul’s weapons.  He was telling David, you need to run for your life if you want to stay alive and fulfill God’s purpose for your life.  Still today, there are many people who live within the danger zone of the enemy.  Just like it was with David, everyone has a decision to make, to either stay in the danger zone of the enemy or to move to a place of safety.  The arrows of death of the enemy are long range, but there is only one place to go to be out of reach of the enemy. 

 By faith we escape the danger zone by placing our lives in the hands of God.  God is our place of refuge we should be running to.  God is our strong tower, our shield, and our buckler.  When you give your life to Jesus and accept His free gift of salvation and eternal life, you are out of range from the enemy.  That doesn’t mean difficulties will not come to your life, but it means that nothing can ever separate you from the love of God.  

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Guarded and Guided by Angels

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God’s activities are always guarded by God’s angels.  Just from reading the stories surrounding the birth of the Messiah, there was a significant uptick in angelic activity.  The angel Gabriel spoke with Zacharias concerning the birth of John, and not long after that, he visited Mary about the birth of Jesus.  Joseph was visited in a dream by the angel of the Lord.  At the birth of Christ, the angel of the Lord spoke to the shepherds nearby in a field.  At that time, a heavenly host of angels appeared before the shepherds praising God.  After some time had passed, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and warned him of the threat on the infant Jesus’ life from King Herod.  The angel of the Lord told Joseph where to go and how long to stay.  

Matthew 2:13-14 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

The angels of God are still fiercely working, guarding, guiding, and fighting on behalf of every born-again child of God.  Right this moment you are surrounded by angels assigned to your care.  You have not been left alone, even though it feels like it at times.  The angels don’t want your worship, but they do want your cooporation, as they are messengers of God.  The angels of God know how to communicate to you, and they play such an incredible practical and spiritual role in your life.  There are angels all around you, but that doesn’t mean you can act foolishly and tempt God.  God may send an angel to you this very day in the form of a complete stranger so be alert and attentive especially in the time we live.  I sense there is another uptick in angelic activity, so just be ready to hear and do as advised.  “Thank you Father, for the angels you have placed to care for us.”  Amen. 

The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Psalm 34:7

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Brace Yourself

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How many times have you heard these words of warning?  We’ve all heard them in movies right before the plane crash or right before the train derailed and right before the car crash scene.  Those are good words of warning and given in split second timing in order to lessen the personal damage of the impact.  Anytime you know a potentially hard impact is about to take place, you should call out, “Brace Yourself.”  Right now with the spread of the coronavirus, the government is telling us to brace ourselves because what is hitting us and what is about to hit us is going to be extremely difficult to endure.  Did you hear that?  What is about to unfold in our nation is not going to be over anytime soon, and it’s going to have a potentially devastating impact on every family.  I hate to talk like that, but even in God’s Word we find this warning to brace ourselves, but only using different terminology.  Here’s a few examples.

“Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, “since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?”  Genesis 18:16-18

“And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “[As] the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. “And it will be [that] you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”  1 Kings 17:1-4

“Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.”  Isaiah 26:20-21

Please know this, I know another day is coming that will make this season in our country seem minor and that’s why as you brace yourself you need to draw near to Jesus Christ.  He can still send the ravens to feed you and help you find water, but He is using our government to tell us something bad is coming, stay at home, and we will take care of you.  The other religious leaders in the Old Testament mocked the true prophets of God when they gave a warning and people still mock today.  I hope I am wrong, but go ahead and brace yourself in the ways you can, but especially draw near to the One who can supply your every need—Jesus Christ!  

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