Smite The Shepherd

Zechariah 13:6-7

And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends. Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones.

When we open our hearts to those closest to us in the sincere love of God, we are wide open to the possibility of wounding. Inevitably the wounding comes. This is God presenting us with an opportunity to become like Christ. It is up to us what we do with this opportunity: either we can let it scatter us, or we can stand strong in intercessory prayer and be perfected in the image of Christ. When we purpose to follow Him, He will continue to present the tests until we pass, and greater challenges when we respond appropriately. That's right, prayer and fasting do not change Him: that is how He transforms us into His image. As it is written,

Romans 8:29

For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

See also Watch Ye Therefore; He Magnified His Word; Building Spiritual Houses

Related Scriptures: 1John 3:16-24; Isaiah 53:1-12; Hebrews 7:13-28; Romans 8:28-39

The Spirit Shall Lift Up A Standard

Isaiah 59:19

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

When the children of Israel sinned in speaking against God and against Moses, the Lord sent fiery serpents (śârâph nâchâsh, or seraphim) of judgment among them to bite them. For those who realized their rebellious ways, repentance was rewarded by deliverance from death upon viewing a fiery serpent made of brass that was lifted up on a pole. Through the midst of the deep darkness in these end times, the LORD has promised to manifest Himself like the glorious sunrise. The gathering hosts of darkness, encamped round about the people of God, will be scattered by the brightness of His coming. In the midst of the flood of iniquity that threatens to engulf this earth, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to rebuke the wind and the waves and raise a standard against all His enemies. The Son of Man, once lifted up on His cross in death is now high and lifted up in resurrection and seated upon His throne. Those who have believed in Him will be delivered from the fires of judgment into the glorious light of eternal life in Christ. As it is written,

John 3:14-15

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

See also He Will Raise Us Up; The Mystery of Iniquity; Miry Clay

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1-4; Psalm 68:1-6; Numbers 21:1-9; John 3:1-21; Job 12:7-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Numbers 10:34-36; Psalm 92:1-15