FLY AWAY OR REIGN?
Key Verse: “The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”(v.3)
Key Theme: God STILL ruling during chaos
Key Descriptives of God: The Still Ruling Lord; The Examining Lord; The Righteous Lord
In this hot summer of 2020, on our 67-day journey of seeing Him “shining His face upon us”, it is amazing how relevant and on topic David’s Psalms are to us. In Psalm 11, David is apparently facing much unrest and is facing the option of running away or sticking to His call as king. Verse 1 (TPT) “Lord, don’t you hear what my well-meaning friends keep saying to me: Run away while you can! Fly away like a bird to hide in the mountains for safety.”
COLLAPSING LAW AND ORDER?
This is perhaps something relevant for us right now. Verse 3, tells of the foundations of law and order having collapsed and so “What can the righteous do?”. Do we give in to our well-cultivated escapism mindset or do we find our refuge in the Lord and stay the “kings and priests” He has called us to be? Anarchism, rioting, and rebellion has caused our president to feel the need to send upgraded law re-enforcements. He is attempting to fulfill his role as primary protector of the citizenry. Quite likely, in cities such as Portland, Minneapolis, Chicago, etc. “the righteous” (all sincere believers) are very likely hearing “well-meaning friends” say, hey it is time to “run away while you can.” Certain entire states seem to be encouraging “well-meaning friends” to call loved ones and say its’ “fly away like a bird” time— go and find a place of safety. After all, what can you do? Verse 4 answers us, “But the Lord is in His Holy Temple; THE LORD STILL RULES from HEAVEN. He watches everyone closely, EXAMINING every person on EARTH.”
EVERY PERSON IS BEING EXAMINED
Note the heaven to earth connection. He is in HEAVEN but is highly involved with EARTH— even when foundations of law and order seem collapsed. He is “examining every person” is something powerful to ponder. In unique and perhaps unprecedented moments such as these, EVERY PERSON is being tested. Every wicked or just broken person is being tested. Every good or innocent person is being tested. I am being tested as a reformer and prophetic voice. President Trump is being tested as commander-in-chief during these chaotic times. Every one of you is being tested. It is different depending on who you are, where you are, and what you are called to do. Good, bad, or indifferent EVERYONE is being tested- by He who STILL rules.
ONLY BE COURAGEOUS
When being examined by the Lord there are two key matters to remember. First, He always wants us to pass our tests (remember He’s Professor Waymaker). Secondly, no test is ever passed through cowardice. Another way to say that is “without faith it is impossible to please God.” All promotions from God are to be entered into by steps of COURAGE. Joshua was told that this one thing alone would ensure a victorious passage into Promised Land, “only be courageous”. I am not automatically saying that everyone presently in a danger zone needs to stick it out— but I am saying that whatever move or stay that is embraced should be done so courageously, knowing our Lord is STILL RULING here on earth. Our courage is to be a byproduct of that reality. GOD IS INVOLVED! He is SO involved that He is as a Teacher looking over His classroom with every person being examined.
SEE, PERCEIVE, PROPHESY, PROVIDE
The word “examining” from verse 4 is the Hebrew word CHAZAH. This word means, “see, perceive, prophesy, provide.” That meaning processed in sequence is amazing and worth chewing on all day. He is SEEING us, PERCEIVING us, PROPHESYING over us, and PROVIDING for us. In our present “fly away” or “reign” dilemma He is doing all of these. He SEES us, which is for our comfort and benefit. He PERCEIVES us, which is His deeper observation of us for His purposes of determining our capability to be promoted. He PROPHESIES over us according to our response in this testing experience— essentially whether we are due a promotion or whether a repeat is in order. (He gives no F’s) And He PROVIDES for us accordingly. Next level classrooms demand next level provision.
UPRIGHT MEN WILL SEE HIS FACE
The 67-day focus is on “seeing His face shine upon us”. This is in the midst of “foundations of law and order” being challenged. You chose what you want to focus on. The last verse says it all. “The Lord is righteous, HE LOVES JUSTICE (huge repeat theme); upright men will SEE HIS FACE.” Yes, this can have an afterlife interpretation but it is much more than that. Theoretically all— even those not entering heaven will see His face at the judgment seat. But SEEING HIS FACE is always associated with favor, protection, provision, a way being made (i.e. Professor Waymaker). It is good to remember that in a chapter that highlights the loss of law and order that the promise of the last line is still to see His face. This summer will continue to reveal itself as “it was the best of times and it was the worst of times”. Shifting into a new era will always entail that. Stare at COVID, Communism, Congress, Control, and China and you will be in “fly away like a bird” modality and possibly join friends in rapture-watch parties. Gaze at and magnify Him who STILL rules and you will find your own face radiant— product of HIS radiant face. Don’t worry, be happy. It’s just war out there.
Written by: Johnny Enlow
Featured Image by chris ganser on Unsplash
67 DAY COUNTDOWN SERIES
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The 67 Day Countdown Series is brought to you by Johnny and Elizabeth Enlow, founders of Restore7 ministry, as well as international speakers and best-selling authors. Among Johnny’s books are The Seven Mountain Prophecy, The Seven Mountain Mantle, Rainbow God, The Seven Mountain Renaissance, Becoming A Superhero, and RISE. Elizabeth serves as CEO and penned Rainbow God: The Seven Colors of Love and God in Every Season.
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