I will begin this morning by reading from Habakkuk 3:19 Amplified translation;  ^“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!”

My take on  this is that God created us to walk and make spiritual progress. If you’re not moving, you can’t progress. So often I hear people talk their problems, talk about the economy, talk about the president, talk about the war, healthcare, give their opinions on what they think should be done. What I DON”T hear, is the Word being spoken over these things. I see people sitting, watching, waiting, but I don’t see people standing on the Word, believing what they read and taking territory for their God.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:12 NKJV, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Ephesians 6:10-13 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.   For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Stand on His Word.

Like the old song, “Onward Christian Soldiers” We’re marching forward, not retreating. We’re taking souls for the Kingdom, speaking encouragement to the weary and downtrodden.  Administering first aid to the wounded, ministering to their need. Adversity and trouble were meant to cause us to grow, not paralyze us in fear. Trials are designed to make us realize that we can’t do a thing apart from the God who lives in us. It teaches us to rely on Him as our victory, to trust His strength in us when we’re weak. To trust the Healer who lives in us when we’re sick.

Remember this, my remnant friend; moving forward is what we are made to do. Retreat is not an option. I leave you with the words of Paul found in I Corinthians 9:24-26, “ You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one runner gets the prize. So run like that. Run to win!  All who compete in the games use strict training. They do this so that they can win a prize—one that doesn’t last. But our prize is one that will last forever.  So I run like someone who has a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something, not just the air.” Make your words and actions count today. May they mirror the image of the One who lives in us.