Every few days I read another post of how God used one particular avenue to bring victory to his people. In one case he sent the singers first, in another he sent men with a lamp in a pitcher and a trumpet. In still another the prophet told the young man to stand and see the Army of the Lord win the battle. In still another time confusion overtook the enemy and they killed each other. In another he called them to pray. In one he drowned the pursuing enemy. And this list is abridged. There are more ways he allowed his people to triumph.
But if I read many of the posts about victory, they seem to always prescribe one method. That is how they believe God works, their way. And it is their way, not God’s way. Why do God’s people lack discernment? Why do they follow such blind guides? Better yet, why are those who are to be leaders so dull of mind and heart to not know the prophets and the way God fought for His people? Or maybe they have their own agenda?
One recent post made it sound like the “send the singers first” is THE way. When there is a problem, you get out your hymn book, sing and the devil leaves. The deliverance group says you post that you are doing deliverance on Yahoo groups to get people to pray while you do deliverance. I’m still not convinced this is not a veiled way to either drum up business or an ego trip to show how many people they cast devils out of but I get into trouble for asking that question. I am reminded that if there were no devils in the person before, there will be none when the deliverance is finished. It makes for a phenomenal success rate. And the prayer group tells you that without 24 hour prayer vigils, it will not happen. The fasting group says that without a fast, it will not happen. Some will tell you, “keep the Sabbath, that is all that is needed.”
Let me say it clearly. “These are man’s ideas of how God works.” All of them are valid. None of them are “the way.” Look at the healing ministry of Jesus. He laid hands on some. He spoke to demons and they came out. He saw faith and told some to go home to recovered friends and family. He put mud on one man’s eyes. And there are more.
When we limit God to working in our way we limit the release of His power. We change the song to “Not Thy Will but Mine be done.” I don’t care how you feel led to help others, to touch them, to pray for them, to encourage them, to speak to the devil to stop tormenting them, JUST DO IT. GET ON WITH IT. But don’t limit others who God would use in another way by telling them they must do it your way. But encourage them by showing God is still real. Show them the great physician is still having office hours.
God has children. He isn’t into cloning. We are all not alike. There is nobody like me, thank God for that, I would have to put up with him if there were another, and I will pray for the rest of you who have to put up with me. If you have that load to carry, you need prayer. There are some that I have hoped for another like them so they would see what they are like and what we have to put up with. .
Let’s look at a couple of things from the natural. If a football team came up to the line of scrimmage every time and ran a draw play, what would happen? Easy, the defense would set up to defeat a draw play. The offense would never get far. But no coach runs the same play too often even if it is working. He tries to make the defense set to defend against anything. And when you defend against everything, you do not do as good a job of defending against what is actually run. Let’s let God lead us to keep the devil off balance.
Personally there are times I have sung, usually I do it where others don’t have to listen to me too much. There are times I pray. There are times I have yelled at the devil. I did them because at the time I felt that was the way to see victory. I am not holding on, beleaguered in a fortress, pressed on every side. I am not in a trench hiding from the enemy. I am on the offensive. I am a child of the King of Kings. Under His banner we triumph, the banner of the cross.
GREAT!