“It was spring time, when kings go out to war….”
I don’t know if you’ve felt it friends, but we are in a season of strengthening. A season of contending for the promises that God has spoken. He is training our hands for war and our fingers for battle. But even the fiercest of armies, with the most skilled of warriors knows – success is very dependent upon watching and listening for the signal of their leader. Timing….is everything.
Before I continue, let me pause and say I recognize this word may not apply to everyone. Whenever I share what I perceive God is laying on my heart for us, I recognize fully well that I am but one voice. God is always working and speaking, in multiple diverse ways, through many prophetic voices. And we are all at different places in our journey. But for those of you to whom this bears witness, allow me to continue.
I sense this is a time, where as I said before, God is training our hands for war and our fingers for battle. A battle refers to a hostile encounter. A war refers to a prolonged conflict. In His word, God makes the following connection: Hands being trained for War, Fingers being trained for Battle. Hands speak to the larger breadth of what we are called to lay hold of. Fingers speak to the smaller, yet just as crucial victories. Some of us are confronting battles, others of us are facing full on wars. Whichever it is, know that God is in both, helping us, teaching us, training us.
This is a time where worship is going out before and those who choose to praise and worship FIRST – to lead out with the heart of Judah – are those who shall ultimately win. Sound is key right now. Do not leave your air space unguarded – fill the airwaves around you with worship.
Whatever He is teaching you, lean into this season. Don’t give in. Don’t throw in the towel. You are facing challenges you’ve not faced before BUT there is an added measure of grace for you to conquer. For you to step into a new realm of victory and authority you’ve not laid hold of before. Don’t give up.
“Wait for My signal.“
I felt this phrase impressed very strongly on my hearts for us today and I cannot let it go. For many of you, you are in a temporary gap of waiting. You are at the edge of the water. You are at the edge. You’re about to take a step, about to pull the trigger on something you felt God has prompted you to do. But timing is crucial, friends. Don’t react. Even though you think you may know what the next step is, wait for His timing. Keep your eyes on Him. Wait for His signal. This is one of the primary ways He trains us. This next step is about precision and multiplication. But watch for the signal!
Then he (Gideon) divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. And he (Gideon) said to them, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do: When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp…” (Judges 7:16-18a NKJV)
Like Gideon and his men, there is a strategic time to strike. A strategic time to act. If you act too quickly or out of timing, you may see results, but they may not be multiplied to the degree God intended for you. Recognize what is prompting you – if it is anxiety or fear or restlessness that is trying to force you to take action, resist that, and stand and wait. Turn to worship for added strength and to get your bearings back. Silence your restless heart. Speak to your soul. Rule over your flesh. Keep your eyes on Him and watch for the signal.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control. Psalm 32:8 NKJV and Psalm 32:9 NLT
May you lay hold of all that is before you. God will subdue those things and lift you up in victory over them. Don’t get so intense you leave your joy behind. His joy is your strength. Praise, worship and pray your way in. And when you reach the other side – because you will….dance, dance, dance a dance of victory and sing a new song.
To Him be all the glory, honor and praise,
Linda G. Riddle
Linda G Riddle 
Thank you for putting words to the feelings I have been having. So many situations lately where I sense Him training me bending me to find joy as He humbles me. I think training to be humble is harder than when I prayed for patience. I heard God loud and clear for victory in 2017 in three areas of my life. I wait for instruction and then I act. The hard part has been when He removes what looks like a fun thing to participate in and I am left out feeling rejected. But God, has a better plan then the one I have for myself. He spoke to me a few months back on downsizing my work so I would free myself to go into customers homes to refinish pieces too large to move. In doing this it will create intimate time for conversations with the person. But if I am not humbled the words will not be mine and I will not give the glory to God for the gifts He has given me. Time at home has allowed me to build biblical strength but, He is preparing me for action, I can feel it.
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Love this one Linda, and very fitting and a timely word. I WILL lay hold of all the truth you spoke of. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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Thank you so much!! These are the words God has been speaking to me over the past month, but because they’ve been coming so disparate from one another (or so it has seemed to me), I didn’t know what to make of it. Thank you for allowing God to use you to shed some light/clarity on His guidance.
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