As we are in a new decade and prophetic time of reset, the Lord is giving His people new strategies and new sets of rules of engagement to gain the upper hand over the enemy. Therefore, when we end one year strong, it is equally important to start a new one even stronger.
This is a time to watch as well as pray.
As there are those who have committed to fasting in a time of intense prayer, consecration and solidarity before the Lord, the enemy will take advantage of the opportune time of vulnerability to tempt, distract and seduce God’s people into break their commitment, resolution, new goals and objectives. Counteract with Holy Spirit boldness and take a stance of resilience, perseverance and unwavering determination.
I was in prayer for the first seven days in the New Year, and I felt an unexpected attack on my health, finances, emotions and even my mental faculties. I couldn’t shake it, and suddenly I heard the voice of the Lord break through saying “Hakeem, what you are now experiencing is a barrage of unseen warfare surrounding you in the spiritual realm.”
God was giving me prophetic intelligence of the enemy plot and plan against my life. Suddenly, God took my mind to the Scripture story of the King Jehoshaphat who was surrounded by the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites who waged war against him (2 Chron. 20:1-2).
There was formed against him an enormous army planning to invade the land, and Jehoshaphat didn’t know what to do as a king. There are many of you who feel like you don’t know what to do next, but God showed me that Jehoshaphat inquired of Him for wisdom while proclaiming a corporate fast throughout Judah (2 Chron. 20:3).
In this new season and decade, God wants to give His people strategies to overcome these invisible, unusual battles. This battlefield that you are in can be in your mind, will and emotions, and can be physical, financial or other things. Find a prayer partner or someone who will stand with you to fight on each other’s behalf.
The first key to breakthrough is to seek the Lord and fast (abstaining from food) for a specific or extended period of time. If you are feeling distressed, oppressed, lonely, stressed or overwhelmed by life, cry out to the Lord; He will answer you in time of need.
Moreover, Jehoshaphat was afraid and need the intervention from God. Even though he was afraid of the vast army against him, he kept his eyes on the Lord (2 Chron. 20:7-12). As all the people of Judah, Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat prayed and fasted before the Lord for His answer, the prophetic Spirit of the Lord sent the warfare strategy and answer through a prophet:
2 Chronicles 20:14-17 says:
The Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from the line of Asaph.
And he said, “Pay attention all Judah, and those dwelling in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear, nor be dismayed because of this great army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, go down against them. They will travel up by the Ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the back of the valley, before the Wilderness of Jeruel. It will not be necessary for you to fight in this conflict. Take your positions, stand, and observe the deliverance of the Lord for you, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be filled with terror. Tomorrow, go out before them, and the Lord will be with you.”
Clearly, we see that they were to go out to face their adversaries, but they would not have to lift a finger in this battle. They were instructed to not be afraid, discouraged or dismayed. God would take care of it.
Oftentimes, it’s the intentions of the enemy to have God’s people hiding in the shadows or waving the white flag of surrender to the press that comes. Do not retreat, draw back or revert to what is comfortable.
Be bold, courageous, fearless and relentless! I come to encourage you that there is more with you than against you. Furthermore, as the people obeyed the directives of the Lord through God’s prophetic voice on the next day, they marched together against that great army. They took up their positions and stood their ground. Don’t allow the enemy to cause you to lose your footing.
Stand in the authority and power of the Holy Spirit that was given to you. The remarkable thing is that, while in fear, they still obeyed God, which mustered up enough strength and boldness for them to confront pending seen and unseen dangers. The Lord said something powerful to them that we often miss.
The New Living Translation says it like this in (verse 17a): “But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem.”
God says watch His victory! There is no match against our God. No military arsenal or demonic barrage is a threat against our Father and commander and chief of the angel armies. God is saying prophetically in this season that you may feel boxed in or cornered by the enemy, but watch Him fight your battles. The battle that you are currently fighting is not yours; it’s God’s. There are unnecessary burden and battles we find ourselves in. Give them to the Lord.
Prayer, fasting and obedience are essential keys to seeing your breakthrough. The Lord says today’s battles will become tomorrow’s victories! King Jehoshaphat led the people into corporate prayer, solidarity and into a time of seeking the Lord’s counsel. They had to believe God so they would be established while also believing His prophets so they would succeed or prosper. This is the time to believe and obey the prophetic words God sends to you.
I love what the apostle Paul’ said to his spiritual son in 1 Timothy 1:18 (NLT): “Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.”
The second key is that our prophecy becomes a lethal spiritual weapon against the enemy that will help you win the battle. If you don’t have a true dream, vision, prophetic word or burden from the Lord, then you may have to double check if it’s from Him.
Your personal prophecy, dream and great vision will often initiate spiritual warfare. The enemy doesn’t want you to fulfill your personal prophecy, dream and vision.
Finally, King Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, and suddenly the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The third key was that their praise became a weapon that caused the enemy to be confused and to turn on themselves. The people didn’t have to lift a finger, only lift up their voices together in praise with a song.
God invaded those who tried to invade His people. The power of our praise will create perpetual breakthroughs. Don’t break down!
Break through with a praise break that will send your enemies running in confusion. The Lord sent a “sneak attack” that causes them to think that each other were their enemy. Your praise will confuse the enemy every time. Your praise becomes like stealth bombers, undetectable by radar, that will bring sudden confusion and defeat to the enemy camp.
God says you don’t lift have to lift a finger in this season of warfare; just lift your voice in praise and watch the salvation of the Lord bring you flawless victories, breakthrough and deliverance. {eoa}
Dr. Hakeem Collins is an empowerment specialist, respected prophetic voice, apostolic leader, governmental minister, life coach and sought-after conference speaker. He is known for his keen accurate prophetic gifting and supernatural ministry. He is the author of the bestselling books Heaven Declares and Command Your Healing. He’s been featured on many television shows: Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural! The Word Network, and Cornerstone TV, just to name a few. He is host of Prophetic Breakthrough podcast on Charisma Podcast Network. Follow him on: facebook.com/drhakeemcollins/and hakeemcollinsministries.com.
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