Hey sisters! Happy Fourth of July! Let's jump right into the Word.
Today, we're going to be focusing on two subjects. 1. Wisdom/Direction 2. Hiding/Preparation
Please read Esther 2:10-11
The Word tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that if we lack wisdom, to ask God for it (Proverbs 1:7, James 1:5). When it comes to walking in your God ordained assignment, wisdom is so very important. Oftentimes, we get ourselves "in trouble" because we do not seek God for wisdom before we make a decision. But one thing is for sure, if we ask the Lord for wisdom and/or direction, He will surely provide.
"For the Lord gives wisdom: from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is shield to those who walk in integrity." Proverbs 2:6-7
"The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27 AMP"
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Romans 8:14 AMP
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS." Proverbs 3:5-6
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." Psalms 32:8
"The steps of a (good) man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in His way (and He busies Himself with His every step)." Proverbs 37:23 AMP
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:105
Sister, real wisdom and sure direction comes from the LORD. If we ask Him in faith and acknowledge Him in all our ways, we will hear His voice tell us "no," "yes," etc., He'll lead us to a specific scripture, or He will use the people in our lives.....even strangers to confirm what He already told us or to answer the question that we asked of Him.
Please read Proverbs 1:20-33
Sister, wisdom is ALWAYS crying out. The Lord is ALWAYS speaking.....but we have to make sure that we are in tune with His voice and listening.
As stated, the Lord will use the people in our lives to confirm something He already told us. to answer a question that we asked Him or to say something to us that we need to hear. Which leads us to our first point: WISDOM is a key component of our God-ordained midwives. Mordecai knew that in order for Esther to fulfill her assignment there would need to be a season of "hiding." So he wisely instructed her to hide her identity until the right time.
As a queen with a purpose, God will call you to be silent at times when you'd rather speak, to do as Mary, treasuring "up all these thing, pondering them in (your heart) (Luke 2:19), or to hide yourself, when you'd rather be seen. Sister, "being hidden doesn't mean that you're isolated from society or withholding your life from others until you are perfectly polished. But it does mean that you are not seeking a visible platform for whatever you're called to do. It means you are not forcing open any doors that God has not opened. You are waiting for God to put you in front of others at the right time" (Banning Leisbcher).
In this season, although your true identity and what you're called to do is known to God, yourself, and the people anointed to "raise" you, it is still veiled to the world.
Please read Esther 2:12-13
Sister, notice that while Esther was waiting for her moment to be in the presence of the King and while her identity was hidden, she was undergoing a process. As a queen with a purpose, while you're hidden, while you're "waiting" on your moment......GOD is preparing you for the thing He has prepared for you! He is perfecting some things in you. "If you study in Scripture, those who had a lasting impact, you will find that God led them through a season of preparation. For Joseph, that season lasted about 13 years. Moses had to spend forty years shepherding in the wilderness before he was ready to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Jesus Himself spent thirty years preparing for His three years of ministry----the most impactful ministry in history" (Banning Leisbcher).
If you're not focused and pressing into Jesus as much as possible, this season can be tough. When you know who you are in Christ and what you have been called to do and are faithfully doing whatever it is that the Lord told you to do, the enemy will try to attack/hinder you. Although he doesn't know everything, he knows as we said in week 1, who is a threat to his kingdom of darkness. And sister, what you're carrying is a threat to his kingdom.....so it's during this season that if he can't get you to compromise, he'll try to discourage or intimidate you. But sister, no matter what the enemy does, never forget that God is for you and if God is for you, He is more than the world against you. No matter what sis., don't quit, compromise, or be discouraged! You are not alone nor are you forgotten. Yes. despite the circumstance, you are more than a conqueror. You are victorious!
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will neither fail you nor abandon you. The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged!" Deuteronomy 31"6,8
"Faithful is He Who is calling you (to Himself) and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it (fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you). 1 Thessalonians 5:24 AMP
Sister, don't be in such a hurry to be out there changing the world that you're not letting God take His time to shape and prepare you in the way He wants. Don't let that "feeling" of being behind push you faster then you are suppose to be going. Yield yourself completely to God. Keep your eyes fixed on Him. Learn to love the secret place. Commit yourself to prayer, seeking His face, and spending time in the Word. Stay faithful, stay in faith, walk in love, and last, but not least, trust God to get you "there" in His time. Also, don't overlook the small things that He is teaching you through the seemingly insignificant assignments. No, you may not have reached your "expected end," yet, but don't miss the beauty of this season, (the lessons, the time, the people, the assignments, etc.,), because you are overly anxious about the next.
As we close, include these words in your prayer time with the Lord.
"Lord, thank You for the process in which You have me. You’re growing me, teaching me, and wooing me. Thank You for hiding me in the cave and not releasing me too soon. Thank You for protecting me and everyone around me by waiting until I have the right foundation to carry Your promises. Thank You for developing roots in my life and creating in me the strength necessary to sustain what You will release to me. Help me to thrive in the process." Banning Liebscher