Dear Friends,
I heard recently that sitting in the front of a jumbo jet flying cutting through a cross-wind of up to 200mph is like a freight train rumbling past your house – extremely loud, shaking everything, and very disconcerting. There is excessive pressure on the plane causing violent shaking and noise in the front of the plane as it pushes through the invisible barrier. When I heard this story the first thought I had was ‘this is the sound of breakthrough!’
Anything worth having takes some sort of effort. It can often be accompanied by fear, anxiety, shaking, loneliness, discouragement, discomfort, perseverance, pressure, pain, patience, battling, and stubborn determination.
There are many biblical accounts of battles which demanded much resolve and determination. Nehemiah for instance when he rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem – A task started with much enthusiasm and excitement until they were confronted with opposition at which point it would have been so much easier to give up. But not Nehemiah, instead he sought God, changed his approach and encouraged the people to persevere. His dependence on God and trusting His promises, helped him maintain the vision, and gave him the resolve and determination to overcome.
Neh 4:14 “…Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
But their strategy had to change as we see in the same chapter in verses 16-18 “But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah (17) who were building the wall. The labourers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. (18) All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.” Despite the opposition they adopted a new strategy, pressed through the difficulties and were victorious, completing the wall in only 52 days! They chose to trust God, persevere and above all unite to push through their ‘cross wind’ despite the dangers and difficulties.
The Israelites had a wilderness experience before they heard the sound of breakthrough at the hands of Joshua and Caleb and the Warriors battling to take the land God had promised them. But it did not come easy and there were many years of battling before they knew peace. King David the man after God’s own heart and warrior King, did not know peace in the land. But it was through a lifetime of battling, that he brought breakthrough for his son Solomon who experienced the benefits of peace that his father fought for all his life.
In Acts 2:1-4 we read of breakthrough on the day of Pentecost when the Lord Jesus baptised the believers, they heard the sound of a mighty rushing wind then they were filled with the Holy Spirit and what ensued was the amazing phenomenon of many speaking in other languages – the presence of God through His Holy Spirit brought the sound of breakthrough. Many lives were changed forever that day and millions more since. This was God breaking though on our behalf without little effort from us. He is such a good God! The sound of breakthrough comes in many forms – battles, tears, grief, pain, persecution, prayer, fasting – the list goes on. Use whatever strategy you need as the Lord leads. Persevere and press through despite the fearful sounds of the cross winds of life and the difficulties and you will experience the joy that comes in the morning. Never give up praying, fasting and warfaring – always waiting for your promise to be realised, your prodigal to return, health to improve, whatever it is you are believing for – do not give up! As King David declared – ‘while their is life there is hope!’
Rejoice and praise our amazing Lord and Saviour for a new year and new opportunities and believe that you will possess His promises and see the breakthrough!