It’s hard to watch the news, read the paper, or listen to the radio these days without feeling overwhelmed, angry, discouraged and even fearful.  Whether its Covid, the economy, educational challenges, supply chain woes, or divisive politics, it hard not to feel as if everything is out of control and spiraling down.  When we feel helpless, it is because we forget who we are and whose we are.  

The prophet Isaiah also lived in a time of cultural decline, turbulent politics, economic woes and constant military threats. During that time, God spoke to him and said…

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it 

without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, 

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:9-11

In the beginning, God’s word had the creative power to reach into absolutely nothing and produce the heavens and the earth, the seen and the unseen.  The prophet Isaiah declared that the power of God’s word had not diminished and would still accomplish his purposes when it went forth from his mouth. We discover later that he often used the mouths of his prophets to launch his words on this planet. The beginning verses of Jeremiah confirm that God often chooses to send forth his word through the lips of his people.

But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.’  Jer. 1:7-10

God’s original intent was to rule the earth through his people who would represent him and rule as he would rule. Psalms 114:16 declares, “The highest heavens belong the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.”  He commanded Adam and Eve to subdue the earth and rule over it.  Initially, Adam was to be the “prince of this world.” But after his sin in the Garden at Satan’s prompting, he turned his authority over to Satan.  Satan then used his authority to distort and make perverse everything  God loved.

However, God still determined to rule this planet through his people and so God’s will was often declared by those he appointed as prophets.  Their declarations became a starting gun for God’s will to be manifested on the earth. Because God still intends to rule this planet through his people, he often honors that intent by waiting on us to pray or declare his word over a situation before he acts.  Jeremiah never led an army or a rebellion, but by declaring the word that God put in his mouth, nations and kingdoms were torn down and built up.  As God’s word was declared, God moved to make that word fulfill its purpose.

If we don’t understand this principle, then we will often wait on God to act while he is waiting on us to pray and declare his word, his promises, and his blessings over people or situations.  We are now his representatives on the earth and each of us walk in the authority of Christ while the Spirit of prophecy lives within us. If the Holy Spirit gives us a word or places something on our hearts, we need to begin to pray into it and declare what God wants to do.  Because he honors our position on the earth, he waits on us. 

Sometimes, I forget the role and the importance that God has given us (me) on the earth.  The enemy whispers that I am insignificant and weak while just the opposite is actually true. Sometimes, I get weary and lay aside the mantle God has given me as his authorized representative.  Sometimes, I slip into a season of “unbelief” about who I am in Christ and have to be reminded.  

Paul uses the metaphors of soldiers and athletes as he describes the Christian life.  Each of those must train, fight, endure, and remember the prize if they are to experience victory.  God wants to rule this earth through us. Our prayers, our declarations, our actions that release light and goodness into this world all matter and matter every day.  

In this season of national division and insanity, it is easy to believe we can’t make a difference and that all is lost.  But remember, the fervent, effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.  We have more influence than we think and are more powerful than we imagine because of who we represent.  Don’t give up.  Pray harder, declare more.  Remember that you are launching the will of God on the earth each time his word goes forth from your lips.  Be encouraged.