Risen & Standing.

There’s a whole bunch of business owners that will come out of this covid season STANDING STRONG and UPRIGHT. Who have RISEN, whilst many companies and the earthly economy around us fails. Will you be one of them??

It’s an invitation into the FREEDOM and JOY of following and trusting Jesus.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but WE will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen, but we have RISEN and STAND upright .

Psalm 20:7-8

If you think back to the red sea story in Exodus where God parted the sea for the Israelites to cross on dry land into the promised land, what happened to the Egyptians? They were riding their horses and chariots and the walls of water came crashing down and wiped them out. The Egyptians thought they were much more powerful than the Israelites on foot, they came confident in their perceived strength of horses and chariots, but yet again, God showed His people that He was mightier and stronger.

Right now as business owners we are walking on dry land, with massive water walls of salvation keeping us safe and allowing us to cross over into God’s promises for our lives and businesses. Will you be a business owner that trusts in God’s walls of salvation and follow him, or will you be tempted to rely on Egypt’s (man’s) horses and chariots. We know how this story ends.

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong. But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord! Isaiah 31:1 Verse 3 helps clarify what the Egyptians and horses represent ‘The Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit’

The invitation in this season is to discern who or what we are looking at and where our trust lies. This scripture in Isaiah encourages us to Look to Jesus and seek Him. Rather than looking to Egypt (men) and their horses (that which is flesh not spirit) What the world thinks is strength and what they rely on is not what we’re called to do. We travel in an opposite direction. What the world thinks is wisdom is foolishness to God. Check out 1 Corinthians 3:19

As Sons of God we actually look foolish when we try to rely on systems, processes and ways of doing things that the world does. From heaven’s perspective we look grand, strong and powerful trying to ride tiny Shetland ponies, it looks odd, it looks hilarious. The size doesn’t fit.

Isaiah 3-:1-3 is another verse that describes us as rebellious children if we take take counsel but not of Him, or devise plans that are not of His Spirit. This word devises plans literally means ‘weave a web’. Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a situation, or that you’re cornered. Have you sometimes felt your backs against a wall and it’s forcing you to make decisions or behave in ways you’d rather not. Not always, but sometimes this can be a reflection of following plans and ideas that we’ve rushed ahead in and not come to God and asked him for his counsel in the situation. This passage of scripture shows us that when we strengthen ourselves and our businesses in the world’s strength and trust in man’s way and man’s wisdom, it will be our shame and humiliation.

This last scripture is one of my absolute favourites and carries personal revelation for me.

Jeremiah 17:5 Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his strength. Whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes. V 7, Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord, 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 fruit.

In visions and dreams, trees can often represent people and businesses. As business owners I know we are called to offer shade and sustenance for others and to produce fruit. But let’s never forget we are a tree underneath THE TREE of life (Jesus himself) we blossom under His grace shadow. Song of Songs Chapter 2 TPT. We are a tree that is called to be planted by the waters of the Holy Spirit, to trust and hope in Jesus. Our roots are to by the river, receiving our sustenance and nutrients from the Holy Spirit. On top we will be seen as strong stable trees, but it’s only because of the depth of our roots in Him. No matter what heat comes from the outside world, our leaves will always be green, and we will not be anxious in the year of drought, and we will ALWAYS be producing fruit. We will be trees STANDING STRONG and UPRIGHT.

What a beautiful promise for us as we trust in Him.