Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “LORD, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.” 2 Samuel 15:31
When I was much younger, there was an expression used to describe anyone known to be secretly at cross purposes with someone else or a mission. It was a very strong tag known as “Sabo”.
Sabo is an abbreviation of the English word saboteur which is one who engages in sabotage. Sabotage is a DELIBERATE act of destruction or disruption in which a person, property, or equipment is DAMAGED. The primary goal of sabotage is to hinder, weaken, undermine, subvert and counteract NORMAL operations or GOOD reputations. Sabos are snitches, spies, betrayers, leakers, informants, conspirators, schemers, and plotters. They are witty, subtle, and cunning.
Sabos are poisonous, venomous, vicious, malicious, injurious, and above all suspicious. They are fickle, cheap, and cannot be trusted. Sabos appear to be for you when in actual fact they are against you. They are the ones who would cry out hosanna today and crucify tomorrow. A Sabo is ‘the devil in Prada’, ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and the enemy in disguise as an angel of light. A Sabo is a spirit – a camouflage spirit! Delilah is a Sabo. Ahitophel is a Sabo. Jezebel is a Sabo. Absalom is a Sabo. Potiphar’s Wife is a Sabo. Judas is a Sabo. Can you think of any more?
Note Sabos are not far from home – they are keen lovers, close relatives, and bosom friends. You have no clue who they really are but they have information about you at their fingertips. It takes divine revelation and intervention to expose and disconnect them.
To overturn Ahitophel’s counsel, David prayed. Similarly, you need to pray to override and overrule the plans of your conspirators. Now make these declarations:
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Isaiah 8:10
Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us.
Jeremiah 50:36
A sword against her false prophets! They will become fools. A sword against her warriors! They will be filled with terror.
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Isaiah 19:3
The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists.
Psalm 2: 1,4
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.
Zechariah 2:8 For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:
Micah 3:7
The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God.”
Isaiah 47:13
All the counsel you have received has only worn you out!
Nahum 1:9
Whatever they plot against the LORD he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.
Isaiah 28:18
Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.
Psalm 21:11
Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.
Psalm 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
Isaiah 29:14
Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”
1 Samuel 24:15
May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”
Genesis 21:22
At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.
Isaiah 43:5
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Psalm 18:43
You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me.
Job 5:12
He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
Jeremiah 51:57
I will make her officials and wise men drunk, her governors, officers and warriors as well; they will sleep forever and not awake,” declares the King, whose name is the LORD Almighty.
Psalm 43:1
Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.
Psalm 33:10
The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples
Isaiah 44:25
Who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,
Psalm 56:2
My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
Isaiah 7:7
Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘It will not take place, it will not happen,
Jeremiah 42:11
Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands.
Psalm 119:154
Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
Isaiah 49:25
But this is what the LORD says: “Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.
1 Samuel 2:10
Those who oppose the LORD will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Psalm 91:7-8
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.
With God, everything has a purpose – Nothing is wasted! My left hand does not negate the need for my right hand and just because I have my place does not mean I can’t visit friends, or go on holidays. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Time and chance happen to them all. ‘It is not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.
Herein is the comfort of the Holy Spirit:
For this is what has been written by the prophet. Matthew 2:5
Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled. Matthew 2:17
Now all this took place to fulfil what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet. Matthew 1:22
And remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:15
And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2:23
Friend, did you know that your salvation is nearer than when you first believed? Did you know you are much closer to your destiny today than you were yesterday? I know that because the written word concerning you has now become the living word. You can touch, feel, sense, hear and see the word become flesh right before your eyes! The pieces of the puzzle are coming together.
Fulfilment is:
The achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted.
The act of consummating a desire or promise.
The act of something happening or being made to happen
The tests you are going through now were afore-written about you. And as you go through, you tick off the ones you have completed just as it was written. Step by step, day by day – you are nearing your destination. Persecuted but in fulfilment. Tired but in fulfilment. Shamed but in fulfilment. In pain but in fulfilment.
All these (events, dramas) are taking place to fulfil (to bring into actuality or effect; to execute or accomplish ; to measure up to, perfect, perform or satisfy; to bring to an end or complete) what has been spoken by the Lord. I understand the disappointment and discomfort of having to wake in the middle of the night just because someone somewhere (Herod) does not like you.
They hate on you or so they think not realizing they actually love on you by pushing you towards your destiny because it has long been written; “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Out of poverty I called … Out of divorce I called … Out of sickness I called … Out of pain I called … Out of death I called …Out of! Out of!! Out of!!!
Friend, it does not matter ‘where’ life has driven you, God has already called you out of it and the place where you presently dwell is in fulfilment of the written and spoken word – that He will be called a Nazarene. She will be called a worshipper. He will be called an intercessor. She would be called a successful entrepreneur. He would be called a mogul. You will be called…
You know that life, salvation and power is in, on and with you (Jesus) but you still have to run around, do a job and live life like everyone else. Mary! Joseph!! You have been full circle from Bethlehem to Egypt to Jerusalem to Nazareth and yet there remains a contention. Keep going friend, it’s all about fulfilment. It was written about you.
Praise God for the mess! Praise God in the test!! Praise God through the trial!!! Sooner, they’ll collectively become a message, testimony and triumph!
The word concerning you will be fulfilled!
If I were you, I’d get excited and give God a ‘Fulfilment’ praise! Have a great 7/14/14 – Your day of double perfection! Fulfilment comes!
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust. Joel 2:25a
I woke up this morning with a word – restoration. The book of Ezra is replete with the message and hope of restoration and restitution.
Firstly God stirs the heart of King Cyrus to release the exiles of Judah to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
7 King Cyrus himself brought out the articles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods. 8 Cyrus directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to count these items and present them to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah. Ezra 1:7-8
Friend, you are released and free to return to your vision to rebuild. Note these were articles Cyrus’ predecessors ceased. This shows that it does not matter how long the enemy has your stuff for; when it’s payday, he will repay in full.
King Cyrus ordered for all those items to be counted and restored! As if that were not enough, he further said
8 “Moreover, I hereby decree that you are to help these elders of the Jews as they rebuild this Temple of God. You must pay the full construction costs, without delay, from my taxes collected in the province west of the Euphrates River so thatthe work will not be interrupted.9 “Give the priests in Jerusalem whatever is needed in the way of young bulls, rams, and male lambs for the burnt offerings presented to the God of heaven. And without fail, provide them with as much wheat, salt, wine, and olive oil as they need each day. 10 Then they will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the welfare of the king and his sons. Ezra 6:8-10
Therein is the restitution. All their costs were paid in full without delay. Additionally, they were given whatever was required and without fail, they were provided with as many provisions as they needed.
All these were done for the restoration and perfection of that which for so long lay in ruins. Remember, the Jerusalem temple was situated in a mount, called Zion.
From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. Psalm 50:2
I prophesy over you and yours, may this 7th month bring about perfection in every area of your life. Your life will be crowned with glory and beautiful ornaments. Whatever was ruined is now rebuilt, whatever was broken, mended, whatever void, filled. Whatever was ill, healed in Jesus’ name!
You are the perfection of beauty – the most beautiful of all places, housewives, businessmen, congresswomen, politicians, or ministers – anything God has called you to, from which God projects, radiates, and manifests.
God’s plan for your life will not be interrupted. As a matter of fact, Heaven has commissioned and dispatched helpers of destiny to help you fulfill your assignment. Without fail and delay receive that which you need for today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and the rest of the year … as much as you need!
Did you know that the English word process comes from the Old French “proces”, from Latin “processus” ‘signifying progression, course (pathway),’ from the verb procedere ( proceed)?
Process is a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a result. A process is intended to produce a better outcome. A process mitigates risk and enhances safety and well being.
If you’re going through a process, you are greatly loved and have been hand-picked by God to go through it in preparation for your advancement and promotion. I know how it feels when you think you’re good to graduate; only for another SERIES to begin compelling you to KEEP ON. God’s got something bigger in mind.
Why series one might ask? A one-time action will not develop you as repetition would. Repetition makes an expert out of the mediocre. It develops character, improves behavior and harnesses ability. Don’t you love it? God is making an expert out of you! A faith expert, healing expert, finance expert, business expert, parental expert, marital expert …..Anything He’s called you to be expert.
I am sure you will be pleased to know that the process does not last forever; it ends once the desired outcome has been achieved. It’ll soon be over! So be encouraged, persevere and endure.
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of]character (approved faith and]tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (AMP)
After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing. James 1:3-4 (CEB)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV)
Then Rezin, Aram’s king, and Pekah (Remaliah’s son and king of Israel) approached Jerusalem with one thing in mind—war. They laid siege to Ahaz but were unsuccessful in defeating him. 2 Kings 16:5 (The Voice)
The above passage of scripture reveals that there are forces and folks (enemies) that go about with one thing in mind – WAR!Their preoccupation is provoking conflicts just to trigger a fight with you. They would go to any length – as far as forming strategic alliances to engage you – Rezin and Pekah!
They are kings and princes (VIPs) who have influence, some literally others, spiritually. If you’ve lived long enough, I am sure you would have had an encounter with such. As with most warriors, they have a proven strategy to first lay siege to you.
To lay siege or besiege means:-
to surround a place with an army and prevent the people there from getting food and supplies, as a way of getting control of it
to gather round a person or place in a way that threatens or annoys them
to make more requests, offers, comments, or complaints than someone can deal with
Do you feel surrounded, restricted, incapacitated and exhausted? You may be besieged.Friend, you are under siege when your “food and supply” – sustenance and source is cut off. When you have poor health, no money, no house, no child, no wife, no job or no right to live or work – that’s siege! If you are currently being harassed, threatened or annoyed by or about anything – that’s siege! Perhaps you are dealing with unexplainable circumstances and unreasonable demands – that’s siege!
The goal of the enemy is to eventually wear you out in order to make the conquest easy but no weapon formed against you will prosper.Let’s look at the second part of our text in various translations:
… besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him. (NIV)
… they besieged Ahaz but could not conquer him. (NLT)
… and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. (KJV)
… attacked, but they could not capture it.(CEV)
… they surrounded Ahaz, but they weren’t able to defeat him. (CEB)
… and they lay siege to Ahaz, and they have not been able to fight.(YLT)
Friend, your enemy will not be able to overpower, conquer, overcome, capture, defeat or fight you! Since he surrounded, harassed and attacked without success – he’s the looser!
If after he unleashed the armies of poverty, sickness, abuse, divorce, heartbreak, death, bankruptcy and unemployment and you’re still standing, then you’re the winner!
You may have been besieged but undefeated. That’s a good reason for a praise party.
Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14a
Luke 1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
34″How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
We see in our text two different conversations resulting in a request to explain.
To explain is to:
Make plain and comprehensible
Give details; define scope and structure
Serve as a reason, cause or justification of
Have you ever been in a situation that demanded you defend or exonerate yourself? What do you say? Where do you start? How will you convey it? Is it going to make sense?
Let me give you a few examples:
How does Abraham explain that God has asked him to sacrifice his one and only son of promise?
How does Israel explain that God delivered them from Egypt only to lead them to a dead end – the red sea?
How does Mary explain she’s pregnant although she’s never been with a man?
How does Jesus explain that He – The Messiah will die, be buried and be raised in three days?
How can I be sure of this? How could this be? Help me understand – Explain! There are some things (enigmas, mysteries, and whodunits) in life that you may never be able to explain although there is an answer somewhere.
Like Mary, you are blessed and highly favoured plus flavoured but on death row. You are pregnant with destiny and carry greatness yet there is a contention for your very life and destiny. It seems like you are that one clay The Potter is endlessly working on the wheel. It is evident you are appointed and anointed by God but yet you have nothing tangible to show for it. Break it down – explain.
The prophet Isaiah said:
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4
Paul echoed same thoughts when he wrote:The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn’t have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross. That’s why we have this Scripture text:
No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—What God has arranged for those who love him.1 Corinthians 2:8b -9
And I heard God say:
I am acting on your behalf: I am your representative – I am for you! I am arranging things: I am your organizer – I will fix it!
So Friend, be confident it’ll work out for your good – anyway – anyhow!
Therefore, let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] Colossians 3:15, John 14:27
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saboteur which is one who engages in sabotage. Sabotage is a DELIBERATE act of destruction or disruption in which a person, property, or equipment is DAMAGED. The primary goal of sabotage is to hinder, weaken, undermine, subvert and counteract NORMAL operations or GOOD reputations. Sabos are snitches, spies, betrayers, leakers, informants, conspirators, schemers, and plotters. They are witty, subtle, and cunning.
