A FORMIDABLE PEOPLE

"Who is this, shining forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun,
but formidable as an army marching under banners?”
(Song of Solomon 6:10 CJB).

God’s Word is so rich--every line, and from beginning to end. Much of the Old Testament is written directly to and about Israel. Although these Scriptures are literally for Israel, they apply to us spiritually. 1 Corinthians 10:11 says: “Now all these things happened unto them for examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

2 Samuel 7:23, 24 speaks of Israel. “What one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself.” I also love the description in Deuteronomy 4:6-8: “For what nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statues and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”

God not only did miraculous things for Israel in Bible times, but miracles continue today. Israel is only a nation again by the miracle of God. Jews continue to come back to the land from the four corners of the earth. The deserts, the wasted land, and the malarial swamps now grow fruitful trees and vineyards. Surrounded by enemies who want to “throw Israel into the sea” she continues to survive and grow. It is all miraculous.

But God hasn’t finished yet. There is more to come. Romans 11:12, 15 states: “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; HOW MUCH MORE THEIR FULNESS? . . . For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but LIFE FROM THE DEAD?” There will come a day when Deuteronomy 28:10 will be fulfilled: “And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD: and they shall be afraid of thee.”

God also wants His redeemed New Covenant saints to have the same testimony: “There is no one else on earth like God’s people, those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!” Do we have this testimony? Unfortunately, many times people do not even notice the difference between the “saved” and the “unsaved.”

Like me, are you praying for a move of the Holy Spirit in our land that will bring God’s people back to Bible ways, back to His ultimate intention for us, and back to holiness “without which no man will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

There should be no other people like us upon the face of the earth. We have been redeemed for eternal salvation. We have God living in us by His Holy Spirit. We have received abundant life. We have the promises of God to appropriate and show us the way. Why, then, is the church at large so ordinary? So pathetic? Why does the world not stand in awe of us?

I think it must be because we are afraid of being different. We want to stay as close to the world as we can. We want to fit in the groove. We don’t want to be ridiculed. We want to live on the edge rather than have a “three day gap” (Exodus 3:18; 5:3; 8:27; 10:24-26). But in trying to be “cool” we lose our power.

God’s awesome people, His body on earth should be noticeably different from every one else. We are meant to be a transformed people. A worshipping people. A praying and interceding people. Filled with the Holy Ghost. Penetrating the darkness with God’s light. Exposing deception with God’s truth. Walking in holiness. Living in the fear of God. Holding up the banner of God’s truth. Hating evil. Loving righteousness. Overcoming the devil. Victorious. Uncompromising with the world system. Shining like stars in the world. Pouring out God’s love to the hurting and needy.

This should be our individual testimony. It should also be our family testimony. God-centered, God-honoring, God-loving, praying, worshipping, and filled with the Holy Spirit families are an enigma to their neighborhoods. They become powerful churches who are a threat to the devil and an evil society. Our churches will only be as powerful as our families. And our nation will only be as strong as our families.

May we be faithful to pray, humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways, and seek God’s face that He will have mercy upon us . . .

☼ That all people will SEE that we are called by the name of the Lord and be in awe of us (Deuteronomy 28:10).
☼ That we will be a holy people, without blemish, having no spot, or wrinkle or any such thing (Ephesians 6:27).
☼ That we will be like the sun going forth in its glory (Judges 5:31).
☼ That we will be as terrifying as an army with banners (Song of Solomon 6:4, 10).

Be blessed.
Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Oh God, please save me from being a blurred image of your true church. Please possess me and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I will shine like a bright light in his crooked and perverse world. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

There’s no more sitting on the fence,
Now I’ve got a lot more sense,
I hate “lukewarm,” I’m going “hot”!
To be halfhearted, I simply cannot!
I’m stepping out strong for my Lord,
On this “sold-out” life I won’t be bored!