Speak in the name of God.
Dear reader, I don’t know whether you have ever observed this. As the Egyptian army closed in on the Israelite’s at the Red Sea, the Israelite’s were so terrified and cried out to the Lord. In response to their cries, God was preparing to answer them directly with these words:
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance I bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. I will fight for you; you need only to be still.
As God was preparing to speak, something suddenly happened. It was Moses, instead of God, who spoke what God was supposed to speak! Hear what Moses said:
‘Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:13-14.
David and Goliath.
When Goliath came against David with abusive and despising words, God was preparing to strengthen David with these words:
Goliath comes against you with sword and spear and javelin, but go against him in my Name, the God of the armies of Israel, whom he has defied. This day I will deliver him into your hands, and you will strike him down and cut off his head. This very day you will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is Mine, and I will give all the Philistines into the hands of the Israelite’s.
As God was preparing to speak, something suddenly happened. It was David, instead of God, who spoke what God was supposed to speak! Hear what David said:
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.
1 Samuel 17:45-47.
Start speaking on God’s behalf.
Using the two examples above, instead of crying to God, start speaking what God would have said in the different situations you face. For example, if someone is contending with you, do not wait for God to speak. Instead speak these words:
The Lord is my refuge and he fights my battles. No harm will overtake me because my God is commanding his angels concerning me to guard me all my ways. He is commanding his angels concerning me to fight against you. They will defeat you and the whole world will see that there is a living God who guards his people.
Psalm 91:9-12
Speak in the name of God
