Dear Friends, Throughout this week I have felt such encouragement from the Lord concerning the present course many in the Body of Christ are on. I believe the Lord wants you to know that the steps of obedience you have taken to walk in new, unfamiliar, even uncomfortable things this season are a blessing to His heart! God is carefully ordering your steps; watching over every detail of your life so that you arrive at your destination whole, complete, and empowered by His Spirit. The direction you are taking and the timing of the fullness of the new things that He's calling you into is so perfectly ordered and orchestrated. No matter what things look like around you, the Holy Spirit within is paying close attention to the details. He’s causing all things to work together for you, not against you! STEADY AS SHE GOESAs I closed a conversation with the Lord one morning about the upcoming day, I asked if there was anything else on His heart. He responded with an unusual phrase, saying “Steady as she goes!” At the time, I sensed the Lord’s affirmation concerning the things He’d just shown me. Yet hours later, this phrase still resonated in my spirit. “Steady as she goes” is not language the Lord normally uses in speaking with me. My curiosity was piqued. I felt compelled to dig a little deeper. If you have ever spent time around the water, you know that the phrase “steady as she goes” is a nautical term. The phrase is something the captain of a ship might give to someone else taking the helm. It means that a ship is to hold its preset course, staying fixed in the direction it is traveling. It also means the ship is to sustain its current speed or pace. The implied meaning is that no matter what external circumstances arise; whether wind or storm, attack or mishap, both the speed and course of the ship are meant to remain steady, without any sudden changes. I realized this was a powerful word for the Body of Christ right now, who is often pictured prophetically as a ship on the sea. The Lord is encouraging you as a mighty warrior in this end-time battle to continue doing what you’re doing and to trust that the course on which God has you is a sound one. “Steady as she goes” is a reminder not to alter a good thing! Do not return to previous destinations or try to force things to happen before their time. Let your Captain’s predetermined speed and direction for your life remain in effect. You WILL see your victories! 1 Corinthians 1:8 reads: “He will keep you steady and strong to the very end, making your character mature so that you will be found innocent on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (TPT) GOD WILL STEADY YOUR ARMS IN BATTLEExodus 17:12 tells the story of Moses interceding for Israel at Rephidim in the battle against the Amalekites. Rephidim means “resting place.” In this passage, it is said that the Lord will wage war against the Amalekites (lit., “valley dwellers”) from generation to generation. The enemy’s strategy will always include wearing out the saints of God and stealing their rest! When Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed in battle; when he lowered them, the Amalekites dominated. Moses’ hands grew heavy and tired, so Aaron and Hur set a stone underneath for Moses to sit on, while each one held up Moses’ hands. “So it was that his hands were STEADY until the sun set.” ~Exodus 17:12; AMP Besides being a beautiful prophetic picture of our rest upon the Rock of Jesus Christ and our ability to endure from a seated place of revelation with Him, I believe this is a poignant picture of what is happening today, both in Israel and in individual believers. Spiritual Amalekites are attempting to rob the Bride of her rule and her rest. It is intercession that will prevail in present-day wars, both natural and spiritual. It is the Lord Himself who steadies you as you continue to fight with your prayers, decrees, and prophetic acts. “The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is his treasure.” ~Isaiah 33:5-6, NASBS Endurance is a key for those who feel like the battle has been intense and relentless. Part of the enemy’s strategy is to convince you that you have taken a wrong turn, or that you are moving too fast - or too slowly! There have been multiple assignments from hell to convince you that you have somehow “missed it” in the area of your faith and no longer please God. Physical attacks and weariness make it easy to believe that Satan is gaining ground; you begin to wonder whether you are losing the battle. I believe the Lord wants you to know that as long as you remain IN HIM and hold steady on your present course, you will win your battle! “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” ~1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV AN APPOINTED JUDGMENTSeveral days after the Lord first spoke the phrase “Steady as she goes” to me, a devotional book I was reading happened to reference Psalm 75. To my surprise, I once again found the word “steady:” “When I select an appointed time, I will judge with equity,” says the Lord. “The earth and all the inhabitants of it melt in tumultuous times. It is I who will STEADY its pillars.” ~ Psalm 75:2-3, AMP There is always an appointed time for God’s judgment on His enemies. For those who feel like the way is tumultuous right now, I hear the Lord saying that He is setting your feet on a Rock and steadying both your heart and your footsteps. Your way is established in Him. We are seeing shakings at every possible level, from land to laws to leadership. I believe the Lord wants to release hope and reassurance to you today so that you know you are still on the right path. He will not forsake you, and His right hand will stabilize you just as Jesus stabilized Peter in the storm. Decree over yourself the words of Psalm 112:6-8 today: I will never be moved; my legacy of holding fast to God will be remembered forever! I will not be afraid of bad news because my heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. My heart is steady; I will not be afraid until I look in triumph on my adversaries! For Him, Deborah |
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September 2024
AuthorA severe hearing loss from childhood caused Deborah Perkins to develop what she now calls her secret weapon: tuning in to God's voice. A Wellesley College graduate and an award-winning writer, Deborah is now a wife and mother of 3 boys. Deborah has devoted over 25 years to professional and lay Christian ministry in New England and beyond. Her passion is inspiring people to cultivate greater intimacy with God. |