My Cross-Generational Army
“I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” (Joshua 14:11-12-Caleb)
“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.” (Psalm 91:7-8)
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19a)
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint..” (Proverbs 29:18)
“my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6a)
Saturday (August 7) Donna and I participated in a 12 hour worship/prayer gathering in our area. During one of the segments, there was a time of honoring men and women of faith who are of ‘retirement’ age. It was a moment filled with very powerful decrees and blessings for ‘elders’ of all walks of life.
Out of that wonderful time, early Sunday morning I heard the Lord say, “No Slumber”. Three times, I heard that word. And, I heard the Lord say, “Now is the time for NEW VISION, the time for CLEAR EYES and AGGRESSIVE FAITH.”
“This is the day of Caleb, and the time to take the high ground. I AM calling forth My Seasoned Sons in strength to drive out all opposition to My Kingdom and tear down the fortified strongholds of darkness.” Says the Lord.
As I heard these words, I was struck by the emphasis on “eyes” and “vision”. One of the most common physical aspects of growing older is that our eyes grow a wee bit dim, yes? I mean, it is common that over time, usually very slowly, we find we just can’t see a clearly as we once did.
There is something to this. I hear the Lord say, “What you are experiencing in the natural is a manifestation of what is happening in the spiritual. For, My people have been allowing their eyes to grow dim.”
“This has happened as My people have allowed their faith to grow old, to allow their vision to become dull. They have eyes to see; but, do not perceive, do not SEE.”
“This is changing, Beloved, for I AM removing the scales of age from My people’s eyes. A NEW VISION is being released into My Church as sight is being restored. And, I AM doing this FIRST with the elders; with My Warriors who have grown old in the battles, with My Worshipers who have aged in praise, with My Prophets and My Priests who have stood in My Word for many long years.”
The Lord says, “For, I AM releasing a new anointing in these days. There is a mighty army arising in this hour carrying this anointing for the taking of the high places, and the destroying of enemy strongholds in the Land of Inheritance. I AM placing within the elders of My people, My Caleb Anointing. Those who embrace this anointing shall not say, ‘I am weary and weak’, but, shall say, ‘I am just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was when I was young.’ ”
FATHERS AND SONS
As I heard this word, I was also brought to an understanding of how ‘cross-generational’ this all is. I am a part of the ‘Baby-Boomer’ generation. This generation has been a major force of creativity in every area of our nation’s life; and, this generation of around 80 million are reaching (or have reached) retirement age. This generation is transitioning into a whole new way of life.”
I am also reminded of how easy it is to simply turn over everything to the ‘younger generation’ and to sit back and relax. Then, the Lord showed me Caleb and his younger friend, Joshua. These to men walked together 45 years. They fought together, and grew older together. If we look at what Caleb says (note Joshua 14:6-12), we are literally seeing a FATHER speaking to a SON, and in his words-sharpening VISION.
The Lord says, “Much of what is happening in this land, this nation, is because My Warriors have laid down their weapons, turned the battles over to the young. And, while the young have fought with zeal, they have not had their fathers at their side to guide them in the battles. The enemy has used this to his advantage to cause zeal to become confusion. This has led many to turn from the true path I have called them to walk and to follow paths that do not bring the fullness of their destiny.”
“This has only been DELAY and not DEFEAT,” says the Lord, “I AM the GOD OF VICTORY, not defeat. I AM the GOD OF INHERITANCE. I AM the LORD OF UNBROKEN COVENANT. And, I AM the GOD OF BREAKTHROUGH.”
“There is a new day at hand. The delay is over. I AM turning the hearts of the fathers and sons to embrace each other. The fathers will once again look upon their sons and see My Glory and Destiny within them, and will draw them up from the places of confusion and doubt to stand on the HIGH GROUND with them. The sons will once again look upon their fathers and will see My Power and Authority upon them, and will come along side to run together with them for the taking down of the strongholds of the enemy.”
The Lord says, “RESTORED SIGHT and VIGOROUS FAITH-these I release NOW into My CROSS-GENERATIONAL ARMY, for the destroying of the works of the enemy and the taking of the land as My Glorious Inheritance in the Saints.”