Psalm 63:2-3 ‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory’
DAILY READING; Matthew 12:1-21; Leviticus 14; Proverbs 26
Aimee Semple McPherson is famous for founding the Foursquare Gospel Church. Known as ‘Sister Aimee’ or simply ‘Sister’, she was a Pentecostal evangelist and media celebrity in the 1920s, who pioneered the use of modern media in evangelism. McPherson’s preaching style, extensive charity work and ecumenical contributions were a major influence on Charismatic Christianity in the 20th century.
However she could only serve God so zealously because of a revolution that took place in her life when she was only 17 years old. She had early exposure to Christianity through her mother, who worked with the Salvation Army soup kitchens. And as a child Aimee would play “Salvation Army” with her classmates, and at home she would gather a congregation with her dolls, giving them a sermon. However as a teenager, McPherson strayed from her mother’s teachings as she began to read widely and was exposed to teachings like Charles Darwin’s theory of Evolution. Confused over a number of issues, she began to quiz visiting preachers and local pastors about faith and science, but was unhappy with the answers she received.
When she was 17 years old and still in high school, she attended a revival service where she accepted The Lord. Aimee desired to seek God further. One weekend, while on a visit to a group of Christian friends, heavy snow began to fall and she couldn’t go home for some days. Grounded by the heavy snowing, she used the time rather to wait upon The Lord and to seek His face in prayer. And in those few days of waiting upon The Lord many of her gnawing questions were answered and her life was totally revolutionized as she received the baptism of The Holy Ghost and the call to ministry. Later on, she would begin to lead revivalist meetings, drawing large crowds in tents, concert halls and sports arenas. She witnessed thousands saved and healed during her evangelistic meetings. She built the Angelus Temple in 1923, which was a 5,000-seat auditorium and one of the first mega churches. She paved the way for other female evangelists during a time when women were hardly accepted in the pulpit. She also launched the first Christian radio station and established a Bible college.
It is remarkable that in just a few days of waiting upon The Lord when she was 17 years old, Aimee’s Life became changed forever. When Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem, He was telling them that this was a means of experiencing His power. In waiting they would catch the wind of God’s Spirit and see mighty signs and wonders erupt.
Isaiah 40:31 says ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’
When we wait upon God, especially in a fast, we receive power and renewed strength to go forth and excel. Prayer and fasting are assets of inestimable value in fulfilling God’s agenda for our lives. The call of God upon a person usually attracts oppositions. 1 Corinthians 16:9 says: ‘For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.’
It is through waiting upon The Lord in a fast, that we deal with such spiritual oppositions.
In Matthew 17:21, Jesus said: ‘Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting’
This means that some resistance will continue to get stronger without prayer and fasting. In other words, the siege sitting over some destinies may never move except when the force of faith coupled with prayer and fasting is engaged. We must, therefore, be careful not to sell out our glorious destiny like Esau, who for a morsel of meat sold his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34).
The truth is that it is impossible for anyone to operate in the realm of power without prayer and fasting as a lifestyle. Every man or woman of God who has ever operated in the realm of power subscribed to the demands of prayer and fasting. Even Jesus at the beginning of His ministry had to undergo a forty-day prayer and fasting expedition. But when He came down from the mountain there was an immediate eruption of signs and wonders. Today the world is waiting for such manifestations of the sons of God. But to see God’s power there is a price to it. In Psalm 63:2-3 David, in desperate need for power, said: ‘O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory’
Indeed we must first be thirsty for God’s power and glory before we can see it. To see the prophesy of ‘glory unveiled’ this year, we must deliberately enforce its fulfilment through prayer and fasting. Nehemiah was given a word by The Lord, but he was only able to see its fulfillment and succeeded in rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem in 52 days, after he had prayed and fasted.
Therefore we must make up our minds to pray the required price to see something new happen in our lives. Jesus said in Luke 10:42 that one thing is needful, which is sitting at the feet of the master, and hearing His Word. Let us therefore begin to take the time to wait upon God, knowing that He has not called the sons of Jacob to seek Him in vain. Indeed when we seek Him and find Him, there is a reward and our expectations shall not be cut short.
PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to wait upon You always. May I never be too busy to seek Your Presence. As I wait upon You, let my strength be renewed to mount up with wings as an eagle in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
Until you cry out in the place of prayer certain things won’t happen