Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Declaring What is Right


I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘ Seek Me in vain’; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Isaiah 45:19 (New King James Version)


I am presently relearning a necessary discipline of the Christian life and that is to consistently do what God does….speak and declare the things that are right! Words are powerful when spoken out loud. They have a way of changing the fiber and fabric of our life. They are not meant to be secretive and hidden away in the dark corners of our mind. They do us little good if they are never expressed. God has been persistently nudging me to declare what is right and to declare it with conviction, confidence, and boldness. This is especially beneficial when I don’t feel the least bit confident or bold. What I am learning is those are the exact results of speaking what is right.

Recently I have had two profound experiences of emotional deliverance. Both times my thoughts were negative, dark, and draining. As long as I remained silent and wrapped up in my thoughts, I walked in an emotional flatland. No joy. No strength. No peace. No comfort. But there came a point when I saw my need to push past the thoughts and proclaim the truth. Truth from God’s Word. Truth that I have been taking in for the past number of years. Truth I have learned from others. Truth I have read in books. It is all inside my head and now it is coming out of my mouth!

Many have been the times I have waited for others to tell me what I needed to be speaking myself. When I needed encouragement I would begin going through a list of people to call. I knew they would listen. I knew they would tell me necessary and truthful things. While there is nothing wrong with receiving encouragement from others, God is letting me know there is a danger in making that my only option. When I seek only THEIR words I walk in limitation. What He is letting me know is that I have it in me already to speak right things over my life, situations, and moods.

So what is it that I am saying out loud? I am declaring the truths of who I am in Christ, who God is and what He is able to do, and all the statements of faith I can express. It doesn’t take long for me to sense empowerment and encouragement. I am finding that what I use to wait for others to do for me does not begin to compare with what God is doing in these moments. This is the corner God has been waiting for me to turn on my journey with Him! I turn it with joy and volume!

Father, the stored up truth has finally found a voice! Help me to continue to speak everything I have taken in for this very purpose. Help me to take on Your verbal skills! Amen.

Destiny - Twila Paris
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Klt6Uedj6eA&feature=related

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16