THE LORD’S IN-TO-WIN by Karen A Roth
The angel of the Lord spoke: “Arise, be strong—the LORD is in-to-win!” With the command came a download of strength and the confidence that together we win!
The Bible cites three similar accounts. All were spoken before an experience that depicted some form of ‘transition’ for the Tabernacle of Meeting. The Scriptures imply it’s a ‘statement’ of DEDICATION!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~JOSHUA 1:9
God planned a location for a Resting Place in the Earth. Through his servant Moses, He brought Israel out of Egyptian bondage to a Wilderness Place to construct His Tabernacle of Meeting. On the doorstep to the Promised Land, God commissioned/commanded Joshua to take possession of the land—also commanding strength and courage to be with him…and that He would never leave or desert him. God would be with Joshua every step he took. God’s in-to-win!
= DAVID WOULD NOT REST
“Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house or go up to the comfort of my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” ~ PSALM 132:3-5
David desired the Ark of God to be returned, but the most significant article of furniture from the Taberncle of Meeting had been lost and forgotten! David wouldn’t rest until he located the Ark. He heard it was at Ephrathah and found it at Kirjath Jearim. The Israeli army haul it to Jerusalem. But everything stopped when God struck Uzza dead for reaching out his hand to steady the Ark. Scared, they parked it at the home of Obed-Edom.
What happened devastated David. But once he heard God blessed Obed-Edom, he began searching the Scriptures for the Proper Order to transport the Ark. This time, he incorporated the Levitical priesthood to carry the Ark to Jerusalem. Some scholars believe he wrote Psalm 132 for that final journey. David wrote, “Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength” quoting words Moses proclaimed each time the Glory Cloud would rise or rest on the Tabernacle of Meeting in the Wilderness. (NU 10:33-35)
Each of us felt the same as David—we didn’t rest until we found God. At a Bible Study in 1979, I heard people still experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit like they did at Pentecost. I set a goal to make it happen in one week.
Minutes before my deadline—I abandoned the thought of ‘trying’ to get the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and chose to bless God. But I had nothing worthy to offer Him … so I surrendered the love I felt God pouring on me and lifted it back up to Him with all my heart. In this holy place, I saw Jesus. He spoke: “Do not be afraid” and extended His arms towards me, saying, “Come to Me…I will never leave you alone…I will always take care of you…you will never be afraid again…nothing will harm you or hurt you…” etc.
God calls all of us to come to Him. Even if we didn’t hear it in our native tongue—God DEDICATED us as His child. Each of us has our own testimony of finding His Resting Place.
= ARISE, O LORD, TO YOUR RESTING PLACE
God testified of David saying he’s “a man after His own heart.” It’s significant that David urged/dedicated his son Solomon to build the temple…and prophetically—he’s also dedicating a future son, Jesus.
“Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.: Then David gave his son Solomon…the plans for all that he had by the Spirit…of the House of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things; also for the division of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD. “All this,” said David, “the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans. And David said to his son Solomon:
“Be strong and of good courage and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God —will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. ~1 CHRONICLES 28
Solomon built the temple according to the pattern or blueprint of David. Dedicating the temple, he quotes Psalm 132—the same psalm David composed/prayed while transporting the Ark to Jerusalem.
Solomon asked God to both Arise and Rest in the temple of Jerusalem forever—and recites the exact words God used to answer his father’s prayer: “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.” Solomon concludes his prayer with “Remember the mercies of Your servant David”—referring to the ‘sure mercies’ God commanded/promised David. (2 SM 7:15) Beloved, the ‘sure mercies of David’ has also been given to us as part of our inheritance!
= BE STRONG AND GET IT DONE
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work: for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts: ~HAGGAI 2:4
The prophet Haggai spoke the word of the Lord to the governor and high priest to rebuild the temple after their return from Babylonian Captivity. Notice the subtle shift of authority in the Outworking of the Tabernacle of God in the Earth. Originally, it’s a portrayal of the pattern in the heavenlies built by Moses in the Wilderness and commissioned to Joshua, to be taken into the promised land by the priesthood.
David brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem, again using the priesthood but also included himself. His quest for God blessed him with a promise/command that’ll include the kingly line forever. He searched for the Proper Order and discovered the government that established the structure and function of ministry in the House of God. Centuries later, the apostle James perceived David’s inspiration as the blueprint for church government and ministry—and called it “The Tabernacle of David.”
God spoke through the prophet Haggai, dedicating a New Order of Ministry that addressed all those returning to Him. According to Psalm 132, we are the Ark of God’s strength in the Earth called after the Order of Melchizedek. God abides in us if we keep His commandments—He already commanded it to happen!
= GOD CHOSE ZION
For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place. ~ PSALM 132:13
God commands His strength to those in government—kings; He commands strength to ministry—priests; and He commands strength to the people of the land—the Body of Christ. He commanded us to be strong and finish the work because He is with us! God is in-to-win!
How are we strengthened? We answered His call, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (MT 11:28-30)
Jesus offers us the opportunity to be yoked to Him. He custom tailored a yoke that fits our individual needs and weaknesses. We are joint-heirs with Jesus—yoked to our stronger and wiser older brother and learn from Him as He walks alongside us. He desires to guide us on our path.
= IN-TO-WIN
“Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength…for the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place; This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.” ~PSALM 132:13-14
Arise, be strong—the LORD is in-to-win! The Message translation conveys the urgency/ dedication of such a moment: “With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” (1 CO 15:58)
We’re in-to-win! We heard the call, “Come to Me.” We’ve come to His Resting Place in our spiritual walk that truly believes we are a child of God. We trust God … not just ‘leaning’ towards Him—we free-fall into His arms! Some of us took off running into our Abba Daddy’s arms!
This year does not ‘unfold’ for us—this year we take an active part and are in-to-win! We throw ourselves—body, mind, soul and strength into accomplishing His plan…taking a running leap into this phenomenal Age in His story!
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Karen Roth is the wife of Dr. Roger Roth Sr., and a ministry son of Dr. Mark Hanby. They are the set ministry of a local church in Northeastern Wisconsin, and oversee the Bloodline Network Newsletter. They consider it an honor to work with Dr. Hanby for many years, helping to oversee the ministry of Papa Mark’s extended family—”The Father’s Heart.”
Any questions or comments please contact them at rogerandkaren@live.com
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