Last week we finished a series, that not only revealed a prophetic word for 2025. But also opened up some remarkable understanding. On how to receive and step into all the Lord has prepared for us for 2025.
Today I feel to bring a message, to add to this series. As the Lord revealed something to me. Then this very thing started happening to me personally, again and again, over the next couple of weeks.
So let’s start with the revelation He gave me.
Did you know that problems, challenges and trials, are in fact remarkable opportunities ?
The Lord highlighted to me a picture, of the children of Israel, standing beside the Jordan River. The Jordon river was actually a doorway and a remarkable opportunity. For waiting behind this door. Was the fulfilment of a promise, from the Lord, called the promised land. This happened twice in our history. The first time ended in great loss, But the second time, led to the promise being fulfilled. As the people entered and took possession of the land, that the Lord had promised them.
So lets pick up the story in Numbers chapter 13-14
At this point in scriptures , Israel was just a few months out of Egypt, and they had been given the law of God. The Lord indicated that it was then time to go in and possess the promised land. He commanded that they were to send a reconnaissance group into Canaan to check out the land. The evidence of the richness of the land should have been proof enough. As the spies even brought back a cluster of grapes carried on a staff between two men. Which demonstrated the beauty and richness of the produce (see Numbers 13:23). Yet all the spies, except for Joshua and Caleb, reported that, despite the richness of the land, there was no way that the inhabitants could be driven out. These spies brought a negative report, that swayed their entire nation. To walk away, from a remarkable opportunity, that the Lord had especially prepared for them. Time would give even more evidence, to support how wrong this decision was. As the two, who brought back a good report (Joshua and Caleb), would actually be the ones God would use. To see His remarkable opportunity understood and received, then eventually stepped into . But this did not happen until, a completely new generation had been born.
So what was different the next time around. How did something that was previously seen as impossible. Now turn around, into being totally possible and becoming reality.
Lets read
Joshua 2:1 (NKJV)
Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”
This time Joshua sent only two spies to check out the land. These two spies,were chased and had to hide for their lives, for the entire trip. As the king, had found out they had entered his land. So had sent warriors out to find and kill them. But despite the incredible trials, challenges and problems these two spies had faced. They came back to Joshua and their people, with an incredible report. Lets read it in Joshua 2:24 (NKJV)
And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”
The most interesting thing is this, these two spies, never got to see what they reported. That the inhabitants of the country were fainthearted, also that a terror had fallen on the people on the land. It was only told to them by Rehab, a lady who had help hide them. As the entire trip the King had his people chasing them trying kill them so had to hide.
Joshua 2:8-11 (NKJV)
Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.
So they may not have seen it, But I think they receive something even better ! God’s prophetic word through Rehab. But they had to choose to listen, then choose to received it, believe in it and then share it!
This understanding is so important I believe, for us to remember, as we approach God’s remarkable opportunities this year ! We need to stop and listen, to what He is saying and not be swayed, by what we are seeing, in the natural. As the natural goodness of the land, did not sway the original generation of Israelite’s, to try to enter, fight and possess the promise land. This can be the same in our walk and life too.
The last interesting thing I will mention is that the very thing that was taken away from these people, living in the promise land seen in Joshua 2:8-11 . Was the same thing the Lord spoke over Joshua when he gave him the assignment to take the land Which was ‘courage’
Joshua 1:6 (NKJV)
Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
So above we see two completely different invitations, from the Lord. To the same remarkable opportunity. In each we can see the Lords hand, presence and guidance. But also incredible challenges, problems and trials.
The Lord said that, most of His remarkable opportunities. That He will release this year. Will first be seen completely differently, than ever been seen, before.
They will not come in ways we thought they would come. Also not packaged in ways of past opportunities. They will come in a completely different form, way and package from the past.
You may say, why would God choose to do it this way !
Because of His Love for you !
As He wants His remarkable opportunities and blessings. To land on the ones, that can handle the weight, sustain them and live out of the provision from them.
This was exactly why I believe, the children of Israel had to battle with their mind,body and spirit to possess the land. As through the battle everything would be found and established. Laying the foundations for their future and generations after them. As the Lord wanted to transition His people from living life out of His provision. Where He needed to give them everything they needed . Remember manna for food, water from the rock, fire at night to keep them warm and cloud by day to shelter them. Also their clothes and sandals never wore out. To now in the promise land, working the land and believing in the Lord for provision from it.
To conclude this message today, personally I have seen incredible trials, challenges and problems birth remarkable opportunities and blessings this year. I have also heard the same report from others too. So next time a trial, challenge or problem comes your way. Stop and consider the following
- Is this trial, challenge or problem, a doorway to a remarkable opportunity ?
- Has the Lord allow this trial , challenge or problem, to come into my life as an invitation to step into this remarkable opportunity.
- Could there be an incredible promise and blessing, awaiting for me on the other side of this remarkable opportunity.
- Lastly, I should ask the Lord, what He is doing and saying, about this trial , challenge or problem.
These are good questions and thoughts to ask and think about, as they will lead your mind , heart and spirit into a completely different way of seeing the trial, challenge or problem you are facing . Then from this perspective you can move forward, be victorious over the enemy. Then walk into your promise and blessing which is waiting for you.
Lets complete this message with prayer, straight out of the scriptures
Lord we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into Your perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are Your lovers who have been called to fulfill Your designed purpose. Help us Father, to stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around us, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how we think. So that we will be empowered to discern Your will, as we live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in Your eyes. I ask all this in the name above all names Jesus amen
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre & Ministries