Habakkuk 2: 2-3 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Castthy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 KJV
The word cast is derived from the Hebrew word YADAH. Yadah comes from two root words. ‘Yad,’ which means the open hands posture, direction, and power, and ‘ah,’ from God’s name, Jehovah.
Yadah can be found One hundred and eleven times in the Bible. It means, to reverse or worship, with extended hands, to acknowledge, praise or give thanks, to lift hands. 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us to cast our burdens upon Him, because cares for us. He is our Caregiver. There is an indescribable power behind extending opened hands towards heaven during overwhelming heartache. Sheri and Jeff Easter sing a song titled, “Praise His Name,” that’s given me strength to press through it. No matter what transpires, keep praising Him. “I don’t understand!” Keep praising Him. Get yourself in the posture of giving Jesus that impossible situation. I am preaching to myself as well! I must remind myself to initiate God to do work out that circumstance.
1 Samuel 30:6 says, …. “David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” David reminded himself, “God is all power! No weapon formed against me shall prosper. He will deliver the lion, giant, and bear in my hands. He’ll do it again!”
There is a reason Hebrews 12:12 says to, “lift those hanging hands and strengthen those buckling knees.
During battle Moses lifted his rod in obedience to God. The moment his arms went down the enemy began to gain control over them. Moses won the battle with raised hands. So will we. Exodus 17:11
By lifting up our hands in surrender God can reverse what the enemy meant for ham.
“The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity.”Neil T. Anderson
A few nights ago, while sitting at my desk working on my manuscript, an intrusive thought disrupted my work, “You shouldn’t be writing and ministering to people. Those close to you think of you as a failure and a hypocrite. You failed to do one simple thing, minister!” Tears slid down my cheeks as I began believing it. I knew I’ve failed time after time, especially my God. Abstaining my fingers from my keyboard, I dropped my arms then looked away from the document clothed with a promising message. My heart suddenly expanded with pain. Fear began to squeeze me as I thought, I’m going to fall apart and not make it back. I heard God so loud in my spirit say, “You’re not defined by what people say. You are defined by Me. I’m your Defender, Counselor, High Priest, Redeemer, and I am your Heavenly Father. I say, You are Mine. I say, you are forgiven. I say, you are Redeemed by My blood. I say, you are My prophetess. I say you are my daughter. I Am, The Most High God. You are who I say you are.”
Heaviness fled and I could breathe once again. My hanging hands once again felt encouraged to begin typing.
Beloved, remember this is, when you are required of much Satan’s attack on you is fierce; however, God is all power! The blood of Jesus cannot be resisted. Satan’s constant determination to destroy you, says everything about you! You have a fervent prayer life. God absolutely will not ignore that we are chasing after Him!
“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” Romans 7:21 KJV
You are who God says, “You are!”
You’re going to experince overwhelming hurt to the point that it feels like you are not going to make it. I get it! One important realization we must conclude is that God doesn’t put on us more than we can bare. He is working things out for the better. (Romans 8:28)
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 KJV
No one likes to suffer! Yes, many in the Bible rejoiced that they suffered for His namesake. I asked the Lord this question, “Why God do I go through so much? Show me exactly what You mean when You say, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25 KJV) What does it mean to fellowship with Your suffering?” This was His reply, “It’s more than just knowing I bled, died, and resurrected. It’s important that you truly know I felt your pain before you did.” I’ll explain. Thomas was known as doubting Thomas. He refused to believe the other disciples’ report, “Jesus has risen.” He remained as a doubter until he saw and touched the Lord’s wounds. “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (NIV) (John 20:24-29) That’s who Thomas was, Doubting Thomas.
Time passed; Jesus appeared to them behind locked doors. “Peace be to you.” He looked at Thomas and said, “Reach here, with your finger and feel my hands. He rubbed his finger over the scar then slipped his finger into the nail hole. No blood nor raw flesh. “Now take your hand and reach inside and feel within my wound and be not faithless but believe. “Thomas slipped his hand in the hollow made by the sword, and he declared, “My Lord, my God!” He no longer doubted it. His identity changed because he fellowshipped with His scares. The wounds of Jesus defeated his unbelief. The intangible became tangible.
Fellowship is more than Christian followers coming together. I did some research and here is what I learned. Students and businesses plan events so that participants can relate to the same interest. “Jesus I’m hurting.” He comes to where we are so there can be fellowship about that suffering. … “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV
Our hearts get so broken that mending seems impossible. I’ll never forget the Lord’s response when I said, “Lord, my heart is so broken.” He replied, “My heart was broken so yours could be mended.” Relief and comfort swallowed feelings of abandonment. Occasionally I remember the pain I felt when my dad unmercifully whipped me with a belt. Blood welts covered my legs, hips, and arms. I couldn’t breathe and I had to lay in bed the best I could without them stinging. I had no choice but to get dressed and go to school. Praying with rivers of tears spewing from my eyes I asked Him, “Why did I have to go through that suffering?” I saw a vision of Christ being whipped with a leather strap with claws on the end. In response to my pain He answered, “I felt your pain then.” It diminished shame, hurt and loneliness. My suffering was affliction to His pure, innocent body before I was conceived.
Paul suffered under the buffeting of satan due to constant revelation and seeing visions through the Holy Ghost.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-8) More than once I’ve pleaded with God to remove the thorn from my flesh, because my flesh would rather be comforted. But without the pain there would be no fellowship between us and God. Think about it, would we fall on our knees at the foot of the cross? How could we eat of His broken body and less we’ve tasted it, through trials? We became broken. Let’s not forget the cup the shedding of His blood for remission of sins.(Matthew 26) His blood washes us white as snow. Satan accuses us during our suffering the blood cries out. Blood does have a voice. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24 KJV)
Abels blood cried out from the ground for vindication. Jesus’ blood did vindicate. The flow from His side became an umbilical cord from heaven to us.
And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon. (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV)
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Ephesians 3:7-11 KJV
In every moment of our suffering we can know that He absoluetly understands our pain.
The amber sun, with its display of colors, disappeared as night made its entrance. A remaining glow outlined the mountains of Jerusalem. Saddened, the disciples dropped their heads in silence. What just happened? Judas walked among them; he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. While Peter denies Jesus, slicing the soldier’s ear off, Jesus unhesitant picks it up and heals it into place. Wailing burst from the throats of the passionately dedicated followers. The ground opened its mouth to receive the blood of Jesus. Heaven and earth shook violently. What happened? Slumber won with its cumbering embrace. “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:33-34)
At the sound of the rooster’s crow, the words Jesus spoke to Him earlier cut him deeply. “Truly I say to you, that this night before the cock crows you’ll deny me three times.” (Matthew 26:34)
Jesus’ promises spilled out of their hearts as they sat in disbelief. Hopelessness appeared to have the upper hand.
“The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,” … Isaiah 14:24
Can we count how many times we’ve questioned the Lord? I’ll be the first to raise my hand: I’ve done it many times!
He did conquer death and hell. (Read Mark 16)
Writing is my passion! This is how I envision the aftermath of the crucifixion. The greatest thing about the Bible is everyone’s life story is written in it. Have you denied Jesus out of pressure? Are you lost, confused, and alone? Abused, physically or mentally: whatever state we find ourselves in, Jesus’ cords, mercy, grace, and compassion will reach beneath us, pulling us out if we accept it.
“In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.” Psalm 120 KJV
The Author sat them down to explain, “This will happen. You need to be prepared.” Like so many of us, we hear, however, don’t understand what God is going to do, what He says he’s going to do.
“Okay, here we are. Now what?” I can see the children of Israel facing the Red Sea in wonder, “This is the end!” There is no conceivable way out!” Egypt’s armies were charging towards them. Moses announced, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!” No matter how many times God has repeated to us, “Stand still. I’m in charge. It’s going to be greater than it looks.” Still, He doesn’t grow weary of reminding us repeatedly!
God is always prompting me, “If a situation is possible then it wouldn’t be a miracle.” It transitioned from my hands when they unfolded to praise Him. Now it’s His. From prayer, praise, thanksgiving it all falls in place!
My friend and I had a conversation last night about God’s ways. Our minds can’t expand to seat that!
Moses stood on the mouth of the sea, lifting his rod as God commanded and the door opened. It was a door that couldn’t be closed by man.
Our prayer will soon manifest, and it will be glorious!
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19 KJV) The situation that looks like a hot mess, forget it! It’s not going to look like that when God’s finished!
Believed keep doing what God has instructed you to do. It will all fall in place perfectly! It’s in transit!
Secretly among themselves they conspired to kill Joseph. His own flesh and blood wanted to kill him. It was more than him being the favored one. His dreams infuriated them. “Who does he think he is anyway?”
Ruben didn’t want the guilt of his blood upon them. “Let’s just push him in a deep dark pit. That would teach him a lesson.” With pleasure his brothers threw him into the pit. I’m sure he begged them to pull him out. “Please get me out of here!” Laughing and scorning they reminded him of his dreams. “Look at the dreamer? Did you dream about this Joseph?”
During Ruben’s absence Juda decided since they couldn’t kill him, why not, sell him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. In today’s dollars it would be two hundred to five hundred in value. Well, they had to tell their father something! They couldn’t just return confessing, “We sold Joseph to teach him a lesson.”
Jacob believed his sons, they brought Joseph’s coat covered in blood, ripped, saying I’m sure sorrowfully, “We found this, is this not your son’s coat?” Indeed, it was his son’s coat. None had one like it. Its unique design was tailored for his unique son. Pain penetrated deep into his soul.
What saddens me is his brothers weren’t affected by the sight of Jacob grieving. What a shock! He was unaware of the woven web of deception. Hostility burned within them. Joseph’s dreams were that powerful. Unmoved, no conviction, and no more Joseph and his dreams disappeared when they sold him into slavery. That’s what they thought. They had no idea that their actions transitioned him into fulfilling them.
God is teaching me this! One night while lying in bed the Lord reminded me, “What looks out of control to you is Me being in control. That’s the wonderful thing about being a child of God! The moment we surrender to Him He takes complete control.
Now let’s talk about the boomerang effect. Psalm 105:16 says, “Moreever he called a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.” (Psalm 105:16 KJV)
God called a famine upon the land and cutoff their resources. But the land that received Joseph flourished. He went from the pit to being a slave, accused, imprisoned to being a ruler over the land. Jacob and his brothers knew Egypt thrived but remained unaware of who oversaw the land.
Sitting together, one gazed at the other. “Why are you looking at each other? I’ve heard there is corn in Egypt. Go there and buy corn that we live and not die.” (Genesis 42:1-3)
God sent Joseph ahead. This is one of those acts of God that leave me without words! Do you see how everyone is being molded?
In the end it all works out and became as God said it would. Dreams from God cannot be diminished.
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
The mockers, accusers will come down to a level realizing; the favor of God is upon the crown of the dreamer.
… “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6 KJV
“Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 17:1-2 KJV
Ten-foot Goliath, suited up in a massive amount of bronze, stood on the mountain waiting for Israel to accept his challenge to fight. This daily occurrence would be frustrating. Israel remained hidden from the titled champion.
As I sit here, I’m trying to visualize this ten-foot monstrous being approaching me. It isn’t easy to fathom until taking it to a spiritual level. We deal with giants all through our lives.
I had many horrifying experiences as a child when the lights went off. The approach of nightfall terrified me until the age of twenty-six. My middle sister slept beside me due to the severity of my panic attacks. Without her by my side, I would stay up all night. Even in the day, I didn’t go anywhere without her.
Tormenting fear ceased when I began praying through the night. Calling on the name of Jesus is what I continuously did: I reminded satan that who I belonged to, and the blood of Christ applied to my life. My dependency on a bright nightlight faded as I experienced a hunger to seek God’s presence. Trauma was replaced with God’s predominance and serenity.
Job knew by saying, “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.” (3:25). Since fearing is critical fear, person, place, or thing. In the beginning, Job said that something came upon him that terrified him, and then he said, “I was afraid.” He opened himself up, and then it consumed him.
Giants are related to something that controls us spiritually.
David, the youngest of Jesse’s seven sons, had responsibilities that differed from those of his brothers. He cared for the sheep. His brothers fought in Saul’s army. One day, it became out of the ordinary for David. His father sent him to deliver food to his brothers and the military. David referred to them as the armies of the living God. Israel forgot those to whom they belonged. Living God is a straightforward announcement that He isn’t a lifeless figure. Israel displayed its army to an impressive extent.
And he said, “Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15-18) KJV
We all face a giant of some sort, but the David must arise within us. We have something great than carnival weapons if we have the blood of Jesus applied to our lives.
Nothing is distasteful as a cup of coffee that has been sitting for hours, at least in my opinion! Grandpa wanted his percolated every morning until it was piping hot and every morning, it would sit until it turned ice cold. He only repeated the process when finally, grandma suggested an ice cube to bring it down to a drinkable temperature.
I thought about this many times, it’s just this time the message sunk deeper in my spirit. “Lord, empty all of me out until there’s nothing left. Fill me with all of you.” Undoubtedly, we can feel the Lord doing exactly that. Unnumberable times I have said to the God, “I don’t have anything else to give. I’m empty.” That’s exactly what He is waiting to hear. He will fill that emptiness with newness.
A few nights ago, I dreamt that I was scrubbing a pot. A voice said to me, “Keep scrubbing, soaping, and rinsing the residue is beginning to come off.” The next day a YouTuber’s video caught my attention. At first, I was skeptical. Ok, if I feel it’s not of God then I’ll turn it off. God gave her a dream to reveal her spiritual condition, and it lined up exactly with mine.
God dealt with her to let go of fear, bitterness, and other things. Her message hit home. I needed to let go of bitterness. It was accumulating into depression, anxiety and wanting vengeance. That’s not who God created me to be. I don’t want to be a bitter cup that would defile me but others.
He created us to be vessels of honor and serve His purpose. If we ask Him to reveal the clutter He will declutter.
I’m grateful the lady didn’t care what others thought knowing some needed the message. I surely did.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 KJV
Joseph, I am sure, yearned for a restoration of the years he lost with his family. If he only knew that checking on his brother’s activity in the fields would be a snare a different approach would have been taken. He did what he did in obedience to his father who sent him. Genesis 44
God already knew all this. God knew before the foundations of the earth existed. One morning the Lord woke me up at 3:25 am to pray. Something came from my mouth that I didn’t plan to say, “God I was Your book, upon Yourself in heaven before you created any of this. You brought me to life. You know every single detail about me, just as I know the details about my manuscripts, my blogs, and my artwork.” It had an astounding effect on me. His presence came down in my living room.
I’m not going to withhold from you that many nights I’ve cried myself sick, questioning, “Why me? Why-me- Lord? Why am I so misunderstood? Why am I so different?” It’s been a hard pill to swallow as to what makes me different.
If you’re asking yourself, why as well then you are a target for the enemy. If you have many talents, have wisdom biblically it’s going to be challenged. I heard a message years ago, Others may but you cannot.”
Joseph was set apart, so was Esther for a specific purpose. That purpose comes with sacrifice, persecution, and misunderstanding.
I encourage you to be strong. Yes, it’s a lonely walk but in the end, you will fulfill God’s purpose.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV
WRITING GOD'S VISION----AUTHOR DARLENE JUANITA CONARD 
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