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The Lord of Breakthroughs
by David Cerullo
Friend, if you are seeking a breakthrough in some area
of your life today, I have very good news: The closer you get to God, the
closer you will be to your breakthrough.
How do I know
this? Because the Bible describes Him as “the Lord of Breakthroughs” or “the
Lord who bursts through” (1 Chronicles 14:10-11 NLT).
Too often, people seek a breakthrough of some kind
without first seeking the Lord.
They need a turnaround in their finances, their
health, their family, or their emotions, but they’re seeking the breakthrough
by their own strength and ingenuity.
This approach nearly always results in frustration — not
because God doesn’t want you to have a breakthrough, but because He wants you
to receive it from HIM.
King David and other Biblical heroes discovered that
God was their Source of every blessing and breakthrough.
As a shepherd, David understood that sheep cannot
survive very long on their own — they need a shepherd, both to lead them to
provision and to rescue them from danger.
That’s why he
joyfully proclaimed, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
But David also recognized that he had a role to play
in seeking the Lord as his Provider and as the Lord of his
breakthroughs.
He wrote
that “those who seek the Lord shall
not lack any good thing” (Psalm 34:10).
He saw that whatever breakthrough he needed, his REAL
need was to “seek the Lord.”
Today the Lord of Breakthroughs is beckoning you to
draw near to Him.
When you do, He
promises to also draw near to you: “Draw near to God and He will draw
near to you” (James 4:8).
And when you
come boldly to His throne, He says you will “find grace to help in time
of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
What resources do you need from Heaven today? More
love? More power? More peace? More provision?
All of this — and much more — is available when you
draw near to the Lord of Breakthroughs today.
Battles on the Way to Breakthrough
Never forget this important truth: Breakthroughs
seldom come without a battle.
In fact, the word “breakthrough” was first used as a
military term to signify an offensive thrust past the defensive lines of
warfare.
The word entered the realm of common speech during the
technological age, often used to describe a sudden discovery or invention.
God is first revealed in the Bible as the Lord of
Breakthroughs in a military context involving King David.
Years earlier, he had conquered the Philistine giant
Goliath.
But later he was preparing for battle again, facing
the Philistine army not far from the site of his famous encounter with the
giant.
This time, the Philistines waged their attack in
the Valley of Rephaim, which means “the Valley of Giants” or “the Valley
of Trouble.”
Recognizing his need for God’s guidance and favor,
David paused to pray, asking God for His marching orders:
David asked
God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to
me?”
The Lord replied,
“Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.”
"So David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and
defeated the Philistines there."
“God did it!”
David exclaimed. “He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!”
So they named
that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”) (1 Chronicles
14:10-11 NLT).
The Philistines abandoned their gods and fled, but
they returned again to raid the valley one more time.
Even with the memory of the first victory still fresh
in his mind, David prayed again and listened for the Lord’s strategy:
Once again
David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied.
“Instead,
circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you
hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and
attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down
the Philistine army.”
“So David did
what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from
Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread everywhere, and
the Lord caused all the nations to fear David” (1 Chronicles 14:14-17
NLT).
Notice that David
did several crucial things here: He actively sought God’s instructions… he
listened for what the Lord would say to him… and then “David DID what
God commanded.”
And it’s a good thing David was listening, for God’s
strategy this time required a very different approach than before.
New Strategies, New Strength
As you seek the Lord of Breakthroughs and obey His
instructions, your “Valley of Trouble” can become the very place where you have
a fresh encounter with the One “who always leads us in triumph” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
He will not only give you new strategies,
but He will ALSO give you new strength to carry out those
strategies (Isaiah 40:31).
Don’t despair if your victory doesn’t come right away,
nor be discouraged if you encounter a difficult battle before your
breakthrough.
And if you’re
struggling to shake off the memories of past failures, remember what God’s Word
says: “Though the righteous fall seven times,
they rise again” (Proverbs 24:16
NIV).
No matter how far, or how often, you may have fallen,
the Lord of Breakthroughs will lift you up and give you victory!
I am praying this will be the month when God breaks
through to give you the miracle you need.
Your partner to reach the Lost,
David Cerullo is the founder,
chairman, and CEO of Inspiration Ministries, located in Indian Land, South
Carolina – a ministry dedicated to impacting people for Christ worldwide
through media. The son of international evangelist Morris Cerullo, David took a
less traditional approach to ministry, graduating from Oral Roberts University
with a degree in business administration and management. He has authored over
20 books, and operates a global media ministry that powerfully impacts the
world for Christ. More from
David on Inspiration.org.
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