The month of Power to Flourish
12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, Psalm 92:12-14
We give God the glory for bringing us to the ninth month of year 2020. The number nine denotes fruitfulness and this month and henceforth, may the Lord grant you the power to flourish.
The dictionary defines flourish as “an instance of suddenly performing or developing in an impressively successful way,” and power is defined as “ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.”
Since all power belongs to God, therefore, God is the giver of divine ability to expand, to increase and multiply. We cannot increase on our own, we need divine backing and ability.
God wants us to flourish. He created us to blossom and to grow. God’s first recorded words to man were to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, and subdue the earth Genesis 1:28.
God wants our lives to be colorful and joyful. God intends for us to flourish. Jesus said that He had come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. God says in His Word that He sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might have life in abundance. Lasting joy is what God intends for His children.
The Lord is the One that blesses the work of our hands, our efforts, our plans, and our tasks. He gives us abilities so that we might glorify Him. The person with a burning heart for God understands this truth that all things come from His hand of blessing. Paul, David, Isaiah, Jesus, John, and James all confirmed this truth. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob flourished and were blessed with flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. Genesis 24:35; 26:12-13, 30 43. Joseph flourished in the land of Egypt. Kings David and Solomon were wealthy. Queen Esther and Mordechai; Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego flourished with the fear of God and were highly placed in governmental positions in a strange land.
God promises that out of our limitations He can bring possibilities. Out of our weaknesses, He can bring strength. Out of our timidity and our fear He can bring confidence. It is God’s intention that we prosper and flourish spiritually, physically, maritally, academically, and socially. Beloved, any success that you may enjoy in life, in school, at work, or at church is to be traced to the Lord Jesus Christ. Your abilities are from Him. Our ability to just think or reason with clarity, clearness, correctness, and calm, all come from God.
What are the conditions for flourishing?
1. Righteousness- Righteousness is a virtue that God wants from us. The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon (Psalm 92:12). The palm tree is an emblem of victory, and the cedar tree denotes strength and seriousness. This is a picture of the righteous who are walking in fellowship with God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
If you are not born again, ask the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and ask Him for forgiveness of your sins. Then you can have the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Abide in the house of God- Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4. Not forsaking the assembling of -together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
3. Trust in the Lord- “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding Jeremiah 17:7-8
Prayer:
Father please help me to be planted and rooted in your court so that I will continually be fruitful and flourish in Jesus name.
Welcome to the month of September 2020, the month of the power to flourish. May you continually be planted, rooted, and flourish for the Lord in Jesus name.
Yours in the Lord,
Pastor Lillian Haastrup
