DELVE IN TWELVE!

Every year I seek the Lord for His focus for the coming year.  Most often there is a rhyme to the focus and the number of the year.  I don’t try to “get something” but I open my heart to hear.

This year – Delve in Twelve – puzzled me a bit.  First it seemed so simple and secondly because I’ve always been a seeker.  So I waited from when I first received it in late October until now to write it and make it public.

Now I understand why.

Delve means “to carry on intensive and thorough research for data, information, or the like; investigate: to delve into the issue of prison reform.” I got that definition from one of my favorite websites – dictionary.com. People who’ve known me a long time will understand that  my spirit perked up at “prison reform.”

Twelve means completeness, fullness, or get this – perfection of government.  Examples – The twelve patriarchs, the twelve apostles, the twelve foundations of the Holy City, and twelve thousand sealed from each tribe.  All you have to do to see this is use your concordance (literal or computer) and search twelve, especially in the book of Revelation.

What I believe the Lord is saying to me is 2012 is the year to really dig into the Word of God in order to put the government of God in the place of the failing government we have currently. 

I believe God is saying get involved in government – every one of us – some how, some way. 

First in prayer and supplication for our current leadership – in our home, our church or fellowship, and in civil government.  Become not only aware of the issues, voting on the issues according to God’s heart – but being one who will sound a trumpet in Zion where there is abuse and lack.

I am certainly not suggesting we all become “fear-mongers” bringing to light the problems without answers – but rather that we become answers ourselves!  Those who scream wolf, wolf are rarely taken seriously, even when they are right – we all remember that story.

What we can do is present facts with hope, facts with answers, facts with the truth that “there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1) and every kind of authority other than that of God Himself is derived and therefore secondary to God’s power (John 19:11). God’s authority is absolute and unconditional (Psalm 29:10; Isaiah 40:1). He has authority over nature (Job 38), governments (Daniel 4:17, 34-35), and history (Acts 1:7; 17:24-31.) These scriptures are taken from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

The problem lies in that few actually believe these incredible promise-filled words. 

Few believe enough to be in obedience to God’s government, God’s laws and God’s Word.  What to do?

Secondly I believe that in order to delve in twelve – we must become keepers of the laws of the land we live in.  We want God’s blessing on our land but speed, fudge on our taxes, and live like we have no one to answer to.  I’m sure some will accuse me of legalism – but  I stand on the Word of God.

Romans 13:1-7 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Delve in Twelve also refers to digging into the Word of God, memorizing, studying, reading, quoting and loving it.  We are people of much talk – but the world is dying anyway.  Unsaved people need and want to hear God’s Word.  They need to hear His answers, His ways, His truths, and be given His life!  The abundant life that is in God comes through His Word – and frankly rare is the church that emphasizes Bible study as a personal responsibility and joy.

We have become seeker friendly and lowered Biblical standards to meet the unsaved, the complacent and compromising public on their levels.

Delve in Twelve means raising the Bible standards high – so high, so narrow, so straight – so fulfilling that those very people are first to the altar every time.  By being full of abundant life because of obedience by faith will attract the lost. It is only by obedience that we become mature and can rescue and save.

Hebrews 5:7-14 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

So dear readers – Delve in Twelve.  I pray 2012 is the year you find that reading and studying the Word of God prospers your life as never before.

I pray that you enjoy the Living Word – for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Happy New Year!


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