“If you listen closely to what the LORD your God says, observing and obeying all his commands which I am giving you today, the LORD you God will raise you high above all the nations on earth; and all the following blessings will be yours in abundance – if you will do what the LORD your God says…”
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Part of the armor named in Ephesians 6 that we are to stand wearing is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. As I give thought to this piece, I am embarrassed to think that sometimes we fail to hold this weapon. Maybe I speak from personal experience only. This weapon is living and active, however. And this weapon holds the key from us being proactive or defensive. Yet I know for myself that I do not always carry my sword with me. I am not talking about physically carrying my Bible everywhere I go, but rather spiritually carrying the Word. If His Word is alive and active, and sharper than any double-edged sword, then would not this piece be valuable to carry anywhere and everywhere?
Over the week I have been reminded of a few of the promises that are named in God’s Word. But before I spend time to remind you as well, let me share with you a simple lesson concerning a king’s decree. We see it in the story of Esther, and we see it in the story of Daniel. In both cases a decree was made. In the book of Esther, the king signed a law into place that all Jews were to be killed. After the evil plot of Haman was uncovered, the law could not be reversed. Instead, the king made an addendum. Where once the Jews were powerless, now they were able to defend themselves. The same idea is seen in Daniel. When the tricksters came to the king requesting a decree be put into place concerning praying, the king signed it. The king had no knowledge of the effect it would have in relation to Daniel. When they caught Daniel praying to Adonai as opposed to the king, the order had to be fulfilled. The king was even reminded of the decree he had made in the case that he thought about going soft.
So what does a decree have to do with promises? Much! Adonai has spoken and laid out for us in His Word a list of blessings. He has decreed that they are ours. The question is why are we not flowing in them? Do we need to remind Adonai as if He has amnesia? No, I do not believe so. Do we need to pray five Hail Mary’s and dunk seven times in the Jordan River to see fulfillment. The answer here is also no. So then, how do we tap into the blessings that are stored up for us? I believe the answer is in two parts. First, according to Deuteronomy 28:1, we are to listen closely to what He is saying, and observe and obey all His commands. The blessing that He has for us will be poured out as we obey what He is telling us. But second, we must also stand on His Word, declaring who we are in Christ. Note that one cannot go without the other based on this passage.
Look with me at Deuteronomy 28 in a little more depth. His blessings are in the city and the countryside. His blessings are on the fruit of my body, my land, and my livestock. They are on my grain-basket and kneading-bowl. The passage continues and I read they are on me when I come and go, when the enemy is attacking me from one direction and fleeing seven ways, and when I find myself no longer the borrower but the giver. I stand on His Word and I declare His truths over my life. I will be blessed. I will be blessed because He has decreed it. He cannot go back on His Word just as in the times of Esther and Daniel.
The Word is our sword. The Word holds our blessing. We have got to understand, though, how to fight with it. If we are not doing the will of Adonai, to walk in the ways of observation and obedience in what He commands, then we are only holding a piece of metal. But in using it right, in the full obedience as intended by the Maker, gives us the victory of blessing over the enemy. In using it correctly, we see the enemy flee in seven directions, we see the increase of our finances and become the giver, and we see the promotions and overflowing baskets that are in our homes. We must obey Him and then declare that our blessings are here just as our Lord God has already decreed.
Deuteronomy 28:7-69
Deuteronomy 29:1-9
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