God promises His people revelation knowledge in a confused and misdirected world:
Isaiah 30:21 "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left."
There are six stages of development through which we pass as we reject carnal reasoning and embrace divine revelation. These are evident in the story of Jehoshaphat. The six stages of revelation are: Vexation, Revelation, Hesitation, Resignation, Verification, and Exaltation.
(1) Vexation.
Jehoshaphat was fearful when he received word of the enemy alliance advancing against him. The dread, terror, and anxiety arising from situations for which there appears to be no answer are often quite vexing. That is why we are calling this stage "vexation."
What Jehoshaphat did not realize at the time, and what we often do not comprehend, is that "vexation" is the first stage of revelation. Perhaps you are questioning your own perplexing circumstances and are troubled about why certain things are happening in your life. Vexation is the impetus that secures your attention and prepares you to receive God's plan. Vexation is actually the first stage of revelation.
(2) Revelation.
Vexation catapults you to the next level of revelation:
2 Chronicles 20:3, 4 "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. . .
12, 13 "For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord."
A troubled spirit caused Jehoshaphat to focus his attention on God and prepared him to receive the divine strategy for his circumstances. The revelation came through a man named Jahaziel who spoke a prophetic word from God:
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 "And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you."'
Instead of wringing your hands in despair and chanting the universal motto of the perplexed, "I just don't know what to do", allow vexation to open your mind and spirit to God's revelation. As Jehoshaphat, come before God in prayer, admit your frustrations, and wait in His presence until He responds:
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. "
Don't give up until you receive your revelation. You will know when it comes because you will no longer be confused and frustrated. You will move from a position of not knowing to knowing exactly what to do and how to do it.
(3) Hesitation.
It is strange, but usually when God reveals His strategy we start thinking of all the rational reasons why His plan cannot work. This is because God's way often is contrary to human reasoning.
In Jehoshaphat's case human reasoning would say, "Take stock of your weapons. Train the warriors. Map out the battle plan." But God said, "Set yourself, stand still, fear not, tomorrow go out against them."
Some people spend years in the hesitation stage continuously articulating reasons why they cannot accept God's revelation. God recognizes hesitancy in accepting revelation that defies human reasoning. This is why He warned Jehoshaphat: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's; Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you" God commanded Jehoshaphat: "Tomorrow, don't hesitate-put my plan into action!"
When you receive your answer from God, do not hesitate:
-Even if your answer defies human reasoning.
-Even though you are overwhelmed by its impossibilities.
-Despite the fact that your friends and relatives may think you are crazy.
-Allow God to move you to the next stage of revelation.
(4) Resignation.
Resignation does not mean you quit! Resignation, as we are using it in this model, means that you resign your will to the plan of God. You set aside your own human reasoning for divine revelation. You reject your own desires to accept God's direction.
This was Jehoshaphat's response to God's revelation, despite the fact that the prophetic message of Jahaziel was unusual. The people were to position themselves and let God fight for them as they advanced into enemy territory singing His praises. A pretty crazy strategy, don't you think sending the choir first into battle?
God's answer to your dilemma may appear equally unusual but if you will position yourself as He commands, advance in faith, and begin to praise Him, God will fight for you! Jehoshaphat rose up early in the morning to execute God's plan:
2 Chronicles 20:20 "So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."
Jehoshaphat encouraged the people to resign their will to God's plan. He told them, "Believe God and you will be established. Believe His prophets and you will prosper."
(5) Verification.
God verified His plan through a mighty victory executed on the enemy:
2 Chronicles 20:21, 22 "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever." Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
The victory came from God through an army of singers! A united congregation, praising God in the beauty of holiness. A people strategically positioned according to God's revelation. When you resign your human will and carnal reasoning to God's plan it will not be long until you, too, receive verification, and when you advance on the basis of this knowledge the enemy will be defeated!
(6) Exaltation.
Following God's plan does not mean you will be without problems and challenges. Jehoshaphat had to motivate, organize, and position the people strategically according to the revelation he received. The plan of God is always greater than any temporary inconveniences involved, however, and in the end revelation knowledge results in the exaltation of God:
2 Chronicles 20:27, 28 "Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord."
It is important to understand these six stages of revelation because God frequently follows this pattern when providing divine revelation. When you face impossible situations for which you have no answer, God's Word to you is:
Jeremiah 29:11 TAB "I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome."
In order to reaching that "final outcome," you will frequently follow the pattern discussed in this chapter. Remember these stages of revelation, for you will pass through them repeatedly in your spiritual journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment