But God's ways are never like our ways.
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Month of Adar 5781 = Friday Night, February 12 - March 13, 2021.
Joy and Strength in Adar
Adar is the last month on the Lord's spiritual calendar. The word "adar" comes from the Hebrew word "adir" which means strength and power, and we are encouraged to finish the year strong, but not in our own striving, for strength is not found in our might or knowledge. Our real strength is found in the joy of the Lord!
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us the joy of the Lord is our strength. It may seem like a funny way to gain strength, but the Lord's ways are truly higher than ours. David's lyrics testify..."in His presence is fullness of joy!" (see Ps. 16:11.) When we spend time in His presence, He fills us with His joy. When we have His joy, we have His strength, which is much better than our own. Let's now dig in and discover His joy in Adar!
The month of Adar is known as the most joyful month of the year. It has a history of being a month of good fortune, celebrating the Lord's victory over evil. These attributes burst forth in the feast of Purim. Purim is a joyful feast commemorating the amazing defeat of evil Haman's plot to massacre the entire Jewish race in 357 BC. The captivating story is told in the book of Esther and is a "must read" this month.
Queen Esther Reveals Her True Identity
Here's a quick overview... During the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, King Xerxes of Persia was searching for a new queen. Word got out to Mordecai, a well-known Jew, who insisted his beautiful niece, Hadassah, enter this "royal beauty pageant." He gave her a new name, Esther, to protect her Jewish identity. She agreed and was sequestered for months in the king's harem and eventually was selected as the new queen of Persia. (Photo via Piqsels)
During Esther's reign, Mordecai notified her of an edict, calling for a total extermination of the Jews on Adar 13. Mordecai informed her of the dark heart of Haman, King Xerxes' right-hand man, who created and sealed this evil plot with the king's ring. Once sealed, this edict could not be expunged. Haman hated the Jews, especially Mordecai. Mordecai ordered the Jews to fast and pray, and summoned Esther to approach the king and reveal her identity for "such a time as this." Approaching the King in those days, even for a queen, could cost someone their life.
Esther fasted and prayed and was received by the king. She prayerfully invited both the king and Haman to two feasts, and at the second one, she revealed her identity as a Jew and exposed the evil Haman. The king ordered Haman to be hung and appointed Mordecai to his cabinet. Although the edict could not be changed, King Xerxes issued a second edict declaring that the Jews could fight against their enemies. On Adar 13, instead of being slaughtered, the Jews defended themselves and lived! To celebrate this tremendous victory in the Lord, the feast of Purim was established and is gregariously enjoyed to this day!
The Lord calls us to find strength in His joy and rise up in our authority and courage, like Mordecai and Esther. They both found their strength and strategies in the presence of the Lord. Let us magnify the Lord and not the giants in the land. Watch Him turn our fears to laughter (see Prov. 31:25)! It's a time to reveal our true identity, just as Esther did. It's time to take off our masks and be authentic with others, especially with the Lord. When we remove our masks before Him, our true identity in Him is uncovered, and our destiny as victors springs forth. Masks stop joy. Transparency brings light and life.
A Time to Develop War Strategies
Adar is a time to develop war strategies against the enemy. We may think we have the answer to defeat our foe, but true wisdom is found in His presence. His strategies outwit the enemy. Praise, fasting and prayer are not "normal" tactics for most armies, however, this is no ordinary army. This is the army of the Lord of Hosts. May we be sensitive to His voice and obedient to His specific instructions in Adar. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
The Curse Has Been Reversed!
Last, but definitely not least, the story of Esther reminds us the Lord has reversed the curse over our lives. Christ became a curse for us so we could take on His righteousness (see Gal. 3:13). Therefore all of His promises are "yes" and "amen" as Believers (see 2 Cor. 1:20).
When a curse is reversed, you are like a doe let loose! These are the exact prophetic words spoken over the tribe of this month, Naphtali (see Gen. 49:21). Naphtali's name means "sweetness to me." When you are set free from a curse it sure is sweet! Let us rise in the sweetness of our salvation and use our authority to condemn any words that rise up against us in judgment, and declare the truth – His Word over our lives!
As you wrap up the last month of the spiritual year, invest time in the joy of His presence and you will end the year strong. Read through the book of Esther and ask the Lord to speak to you through its pages. May you rise up, throw off fear and laugh at the days to come. Enter into Purim on Adar 14 and celebrate how Jesus' death, burial and resurrection reversed every curse over your life. Leap like Naphtali, go out in joy, and be led forth in peace as you arise in your true royalty and authority...for such a time as this (see Isa. 55:12)!
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Christine Vales
Email: christine@christinevales.com
Website: www.christinevales.com
The Lord gave Christine Vales a deep desire to serve and point others to Him just before the turn of the century. It has been a beautiful journey and she is still discovering the gifts He planted in her—to use them to serve others and bring glory to Him! Most recently while Christine and her husband, Carlos, began exploring the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith, Christine discovered the Lord's prophetic calendar. The Lord began to stir her prophetic gift through understanding His appointed times and seasons as they were understood by His people, and the need for them to be understood today! After several years of studying and creating her own handwritten Hebrew/Gregorian Calendar, Christine created and released the first edition of "His Appointed Times: Hebrew/Gregorian Calendar & Journal" in 2017. Christine continues to follow His calling in the prophetic, as she has since the beginning of her story, where she faithfully is lifting up her voice to the Lord and raising her eyes to the fields...for they are already white for harvest (John 4:35)!
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It is not normal human logic to conclude that we will find strength when we find first – the JOY of the Lord. To our natural mind, it should be the other way around – that is...we would expect to find joy AFTER God gives us strength.
