Blog 11
Bow The Knee!
One thing I have learned through all this….it is to pray, to
bow the knee. Continuing with the Red Sea experience, it says in Exodus 14:10
that “when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and
beheld, the Egyptians marched after them. So, they were very afraid, and the
children of Israel cried out to the Lord.” Have you ever been backed into a
corner, and all you see before you is the advancing army coming to devour you?
Oh, how I know the feeling! From the very first time I got the diagnosis of
cancer it has felt like that. As time proceeds, good days come and all is well,
then the army seems to pick up even greater force, and charges!
While I was talking to a friend of mine I met while at my
stay in Oasis Hospital in Mexico, it was interesting to hear her talk about this
whole cancer ordeal. She referred to her cancer as a gift. I was deeply moved
as I took in her words as she explained. The onset of the cancer had brought so
many changes in her life for the better. She had learned to appreciate life,
and those around her. I understood exactly what she was talking about. Life
becomes so precious in situations like these that you cherish every moment, and
everyone who is a part of your day. You are thankful for the simplest things,
but most of all it has brought me to my knees. It has taught me to pray as I
have never done before. And because of that, I not only know OF the Father, but I have come to KNOW the Father. What good is it if we
have all the doctrines of the Bible, have memorized dozens of memory verses, if
we do not really know the Person these testify of?
Time and time again we are faced with the choice to either
panic or pray as these situations arise, and too often we choose the former. I
have had my share of panic attacks, and I don’t care for any more as they do
not solve a thing except leave you frazzled, desperate, and bewildered. When I
choose the alternative, prayer brings me peace despite the storm because God knows
how to make a way.
Says David, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and
cried out to my God. He heard my voice from His temple…..He brings them out of
their distress. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still.” 2 Samuel
22:7, 22-29. God always hears. When the Israelites cried out with great
intensity to God, the waters parted. Are we crying out with great intensity?
Are we praying hard and long? I often think of Jacob who wrestled all night with
God, and would not let go until he was blessed. I’ve done this in my prayer
closet until I have become broken and in
full surrender. When the disciples were in the boat with the sleeping Jesus,
and a storm arose, all that the disciples could focus on was the storm. They
felt overwhelmed by the raging waves that rocked and crashed against the boat.
The winds lashed mercilessly, the lightning flashed, and the thunder crashed
above them. It seemed they were doomed because they were so busy praying the
problem. Amidst the flashing light, they saw the form of Jesus sleeping soundly
in the boat. Jesus arose and with His powerful words He said “Peace, be still.”
Don’t pray the problem- oh my head hurts, or this or that is happening…… SPEAK
TO THE STORM! Speak God’s Words because there is power in His Words. The same
Jesus who spoke creation into existence can speak the words to calm the storms.
God wants us to speak His Words to the storms in our lives. He
wants us to stay calm and confident, allowing Him to work in His timing. I love the verses “Do not be afraid. Stand
still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you
today. For the Egyptians (the storms, the cancer, the troubles) whom you see
today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and
you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14: 13-14. Woo hoo! This is great news!!!!
Such reassurance! When we speak His Words, we will get the same results. The
Israelites prayers were united and earnest. They pleaded in faith. As Thomas
Watson said, “Faith is to prayer what the feather is to the arrow; it feathers
the arrow of prayer, and makes it fly swifter, and pierce the throne of grace.”
When we are faced with these situations, pray urgently, unfeignedly, and
unitedly, trusting God all the while. I have had so many lovely people who are
praying along with me, believing with me that God will get me through this. As
I was doing my morning devotions this past week, I came across a Scripture I
had read many times before. However, this time it stood out as a light in the
dark. So much so that it sent my level of faith soaring to the heavenly throne.
Isaiah 55:11: “So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall
not return unto me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and so it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God has so graciously given us
the power of His Word, and when we speak it in faith, in the position of
victory, it commands breakthroughs. Amen!
God is so kind in that He continuously sends reassurance to
me at my lowest hours. I received a call one day from a pastor friend of Tony’s
family, Manuel, who lives in Venezuela. He said that as he was walking he was
strongly impressed to call me. He was told to change the prayer asking for
healing, and to claim the healing. Another dear friend, Elka, in Orlando texted
one morning after praying for me that she was lead to a Scripture upon asking
the Lord for a Word: Luke 8:50 – “Don’t be afraid; just believe and she will be
healed.” Then there is my prayer partner Rosanna, who opened her prayer list to
do her usual prayers. As she was praying and came to my name, she started to
write “healing” but it was as though an invisible hand moved her to write
“healed” instead! There have been many more of these assurances from God. How
loving and kind He is to do this. A few weeks ago, I did a technology fast
since I cannot really do a food fast at this time. I decided to fast from
Friday night through Sunday morning. The purpose was to be still as I sought
God’s will. Tony and I prayed through Friday night. On Sabbath morning as usual,
I started to get dressed for church, but no sooner had I started to do this, I
found myself very dizzy. Tony reminded me that I had declared to God to be
still during the fast while I sought His will. How could I accomplish that if I
went to church? So, I decided to stay home. No sooner had everyone left, that
the dizziness went away. I spent a lovely Sabbath day studying His Word, and
waiting patiently on Him. Once again, Tony and I sought the Lord Saturday night
until we fell asleep. At about 3 a.m. I woke up and I realized God had given me
a dream. In the dream, Tony, myself, and my dear friend Pastor David were
sitting in our courtyard at the front of our house. Nearby was a mulberry tree.
On his tree was a lone mulberry. It was lumpy and bumby, and reminded me of a
tumor. It was also green and pink in parts, and it was obvious it wasn’t quite
ripe as yet. Now when mulberries are ripe they turn purple. Nevertheless, I
reached over, picked the mulberry, and gave it to Pastor David who asked me why
I had picked it, that it was not time yet. I thank God for that message,
because He said to me that night to wait on Him. In all my restlessness, I want
to go ahead of Him when He has a divine plan. There are still things He wants
to teach me and those around me. It has brought me peace and comfort now to
know I serve a God who knows and hears the cries of His children. He
understands, but He is up to something, and I am so humbled to be a part of it.
So, continue to stand united with me while I wait on the
Lord for the manifestation of this parting of my Red Sea. No room for doubt
people!!!!! So speak life for me, not death. “He alone can storm the
impregnable, devise the improbable, and perform the impossible.” Hallelujah! I
believe, so don’t give up on me or on God for He is able. Tony and I are moving
forward in faith…..so much so that Tony and I are already talking about our
Victory/Anniversary celebration next year. We have no time or place for doubt
because this same God who did this for the Israelites and for the disciples,
can move this huge obstacle for us. I hope to see my near and dear friends
there, so we continue to move forward in faith, taking it step by step…day by
day. I do not know how or when God will move this Red Sea, but I am confident
He will. And so, we wait patiently on Him as he brings us into situations that
bring us to our knees.
There is a beautiful song I know by the Nebblett Family
called “Bow The Knee.” Here are the words followed by the link.
When you are at your lowest moments, remember you are
not alone. Remember to bow the knee. Blessings to you all!
There are moments on our journey, following the Lord
When God illumines every step we take
There are days when circumstances make perfect sense to us
As we try to understand each move He makes.
When the path grows dim
And you’re your questions have no answers turn to Him.
Bow the Knee,
Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can
see
Bow the Knee
Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity.
And when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan
In the presence of the King
Bow the Knee
There are days when clouds surround us
And the rain begins to fall
The cold and lonely winds won’t cease to blow
And there seems to be no reason
For the suffering we feel
We are tempted to believe God does not know
When the storms arise
Don’t forget we walk by faith and not by sight.
Bow the Knee
Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can
see
Bow the Knee
Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity.
And when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan
In the presence of the King
Bow the Knee
May you be blessed by this song.
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