God’s Presence Restored – Raising David’s Tent
“In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. . . . so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name. Amos 9:11-12
The Lord promosied a day when David’s tabernacale, tent, or place of worship would be restored. What a wonderful promise. Think of what took place in this tent. God’s relationship with David, and the worship from David to the Lord. David had a heart for God and had a place of worship to God.
A place for God’s presence
The purpose of David’s tent was for a home for his God. God living with mankind. What an opportunity, blessing, source of life. It was in this place that men heard from God and the Lord directed the affairs of life amongst His people. This is why the church today is so important, so today, as was in days of old, God would dwell among His poeple . . . for there the blessing was experienced.
God’s dwelling restored
Amos spoke of a day when God would restore His presence on this earth. Since the day of Pentecost and throughout the church history there have been pockets of God’s glory being poured out. We hear of revivals, outpourings and great blessing. This is just a taste of what the Lord wants to do on this earth. He wants to do more.
Posessing the remnant of Edom
One of the purposes of David’s tent being restored is to possess Edom. This speaks of warfare in that Edom was the enemy of the poeple of God. Thus, when the tent is restored, God’s provision for victory over one’s enemy is restored. Today, this speaks of deliverance, dominion, and taking ground.
Living as a temple of God
Today Lord, I will worship, praise, and live in such a way to glorify you. Let my life be filled with your Spirit so that I, as a temple of the Lord, can experience your provision for blessings and deliverance. I concecrate this day to You, holy, blessed, joyful and full of Your purpose.
God’s goodness to be seen, by me and my enemies
Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me. – Ps. 86:17
David asked for a sign of God’s goodness. Was this a blessing for himself, his family? Was it the overthrow of an enemy? Was it a revival in the land of Israel? What type of sign was this?
God’s goodness
We know this, it was a sign of God’s goodness. God is good and as one walks through the word of God they can plainly see scores of example and blessings of God’s goodness. But note this, the goodness of God for each of us is based on what is best for us as a blessing at this time.
What do you need?
I need Joe my son healed. I need my family and grandsons walking strong with their God. I need firm direction with ministry for fulfillment of puprose for my wife and I. The list can go on. . .
That my enemies may see it.
Wow! David wanted his enemies to see God’s goodness and be shamed. Which shows that God’s goodness is to be seen on this earth and not researved in heaven off into the future somewhere. Yes, is this one of those “in your face” blessings of jealous God. . . could be. Know this, God wants to bless His people and continue to show off His goodness so that this world may see and make a decision, a decision to turn and serve His too . . . or deny and run.
Lord, this day I ask for your goodness to be seen by me, my family and yes, even my enemies . . .
God’s Early Warning System – His Prophets
Our God creates history and tells us future history – through His prophets. Oh that there were prophets today that would tell us what our Lord’s mind and puprose for His church is today!
Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. – Amos 3:7
The Lord is working and has been working in the earth. It is an active, ever present work of the Holy Spirit, thorugh His church to fulfill His heart’s desire on this earth. Jesus is actively working to raise up men and women to complete His mission. And, the prophetic it a vital part of this mission. We’re told here in Amos that God raises prophets so that He can reveal His plan to them so that it can be declared.
What are the prophets saying?
God will reveal His plan to the prophets who in turn will reveal it to the church and the poeple of this earth. How does this work?
- First the prophets position themsevles to hear from God through prayer and fasting
- They realize that they are God’s first line of communication on this earth.
- Through prophetic intercession they hear from God and pray through His prophetic mind
- They pray for the time and place for the prophetic to come forth. It could be a private message, a public, national, or for just the church.
Lord I pray for your prophetic voice to be revealed and heard. Where the today’s prophets? Who are they? What are they saying . . . in the midst of so much confusion within the church? Speak today Holy Spirit!
If I Am A Man of God – Let the Fire Fall
The prophet Elijah knew he was a man of God. And with that confidence he responded by calling down fire several times during his life. 2 Kings 1 show an example of a man of God using his prophetic authortiy again – to call down fire.
“If I am a man of God, then let fire come down . . . “ 2 Kings 1:9, 12
Such condifence, adacious boldness, ruthless tenacity! Such was the confidence of Elijah when confronted by his enemy. No negotiation, no debate, no dialogue needed . . . when challenged as a man of God, he responded by calling down fire.
Proof of a man of God
There are many ways to see, discern and tell if a person is a man or woman of God. Look at the life, love, character, purpose, history and love for the Lord. And many men and women fit this description. But where today can we see a demonstration of this magnitude that will demonstrate that a person is a man of God. Sure, Jesus told James and John they didn’t have the right spirit when they wanted to call down fire. So we temper our zeal with God’s purpsoe – yes,
Where’s our authority and boldness?
But! When challeged by the powers of darkness, where are the men and women that can call down fire. Have we become to passive, to tender, to seduced into a gentle Jesus and have forgotten that’s He’s the Lion with a roar?
Go ahead – call down fire
When needed – we all need to be able to say – “If I’m a man of God then __________________”. And have the boldness, audacity, zeal to address darkness when need. Enough of the passive, feel good, quiet, tip toe gentle Christianity! People need to see power. We need demonstrations of power. The devil truely needs to feel God’s power. So today Lord . . . should I call down fire!