Your breakthrough does not start the day you see the physical manifestation of your miracle. It starts the day that God pronounces it. -— Benson A. Idahosa
I wonder how many times people give up just before a breakthrough - when they are on the very brink of success - Joyce Meyer
God will not give you an instruction, assignment, vision or dream without giving you directions, strategies and resources to bring them to pass! Expect breakthroughs, surprises, checks in the mail, uncommon favor, promotions & miracles to happen all year long - Dr. Cindy Trimm
“So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. ‘The Lord did it!’ David exclaimed. ‘He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!’ So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means ‘the Lord who breaks or bursts through’)” - 2 Samuel 5:20, NLT
Sometimes we are faced with issues that seem to be insurmountable. There are things we are dealing with that we feel insignificant, powerless or fearful to address. But on this 30th day of our 40-day fast, God promises us a breakthrough. As Jesus said in Matthew 17:21 (NKJV), "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting”, be assured that any issue you're faced with, regardless of its kind, must go through this fast and prayer. God is a good father and He desires to give us the best in this life. If He was able to break you out of sin's stronghold, He can and will manifest your desired breakthrough.
In the different spheres of life we've been addressing and interceding for, there are often obstacles that stand in the way to stability or advancement. Take science and technology for instance. Research processes often delay or stagnate until there's a sudden discovery paving way for the next level of information or remedy. The treatments for cancer and AIDs have been typical examples but today we thankfully have had breakthroughs that are benefitting more people. ChatGPT is another breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence that is currently riding the airwaves because of the vast possibilities it's opened up for several applications. But all these discoveries came about by the dedication, consistency and perseverance of teams that went against the obstacles and maintained grounds for a breakthrough. In the same vein, God wants us to experience our sudden breakthroughs too. But, through faith, we must partner with Him to resist oppositions and move from our comfort zones to possess the enemy's gates.
As we saw yesterday, when we approach enemy territory in pursuit of God's promises, we are bound to face oppositions. These often manifest as long waits or delays and we can grow weary and give up on the pursuit. Those are the times when we pass comments like 'I'm tired! I can't do this anymore! Whatever will happen should happen!" But, beloved, we serve a God who has a proven track record of breaking His people through the most unlikely challenges with sudden unexpected victories. When you feel overwhelmed and you reach the limits of your strengths and strategies, that is when the God of Breakthroughs often shows up.
Such was the encounter of David as He led Israel to secure victory over a long-standing foe. When the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, they managed to conquer some grounds but the zone of the Jebusites was considered a no-go area. The people of Judah were content to settle along with them there because they could not disloge the original inhabitants.
But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out; so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day (Joshua 15:63, AMPC).
In fact, the Jebusites considered Jerusalem their fortified stronghold and were convinced that no one can break into that area they felt as ease there.
But David had a different belief and the narrative ended in his time. He knew who his God was and he believed that no territory was insurmountable with God and by His God.
As a man who walks with God and fights in His name, he roused his men to march on and attack this city.
Who is this king that prophet Micah is speaking of? Who is this One who breaks open the way and breaks through the gate? It is our Lord, Jesus, the Messiah. He is the breaker, and through His resurrection He proved that the gates of Hades, hell and the grave cannot withstand Him. God is a God of process but He is also the God of the 'suddenly'. As He goes before us as the Head of the Church, oppositions must give way. Doors must open! But, we must take the step out in faith when the Lord commands us to pursue and possess the gates of the enemy.
When David was anointed king over Israel, the Philistines spread out against him to attack him. So David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them . He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. (2 Samuel 5:19-20, NV).
Water has many attributes and its lends us a powerful imagery of God's breakthrough power. It can flow into crevices, break through rocky barriers and push past anything its way. Ever seen a dam exceed its brink or floodwaters break open? The flow is simply unstoppable and it completely sweeps everything in its way. That is a picture of the breakthrough God gives His people when He goes ahead of them. His strength is unstoppable and He wants to show Himself strong in similar manner on your behalf!
David experienced many profound victories but this defeat of the Philistines was such a joy to him that he named the place as a memorial to Yahweh.
Scripture Reading:
2 Samuel 5:17-21 & 5:6-10, Micah 2:13, Isaiah 22:22, Revelations 3:8, Psalm 18:28-30