The Healing on Shabbat by Yeshua of Natzeret [Jesus Christ of Nazareth] of a man who has been invalid for thirty-eight years, at the Pool by the sheep gate called Bethzatha in Aramaic; must have brought some questions in your spirit? In the Book of John 5, it described the pool of having five porches with a crowd of invalids lying around—blind, lame, disabled. Why did Yeshua ”Seeing this particular man lying there and knowing he had been that way for a long time, still said to him, “Do you want to get well?”. In this story, this man have had so many bad experiences and setbacks over the years trying to get into the pool when the Angel of GOD [ADONAI-Elohim] comes to stir up the water for healing; yet was unable to position himself as close to the pool as possible and be ready for the ‘battle’ ahead. The sick man answered Yeshua, “Sir, I have nobody to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I’m trying to get in, somebody else steps down before me!”. Yeshua tells him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk! Immediately, the man was healed! He took up his mat and started walking around. Logically, you would think after so many years – one would just sit at the end of the pool everyday and just throw themselves into the water when it get stirred up. Brothers and sisters, the truth is that, so many of us- children of GOD have been trapped and or chained spiritually by the enemy with afflictions, and as a result, are unable to re-position ourselves for victory in Yeshua. Are you depressed, have fear- worried about the future, family or marital problems; financial difficulties, dealing with bereavement or perhaps is setbacks in your career, education, business or you’re dealing with health problems? Jesus Christ is standing close by asking the same question ”if you want to get well?
In the Military, there are various tactics relating to positioning deployed in combat to prevent being under attack by the enemy. Combat that takes place at night often requires more preparation than combat during daylight and can provide significant tactical advantages and disadvantages to both the attacker and defender. ”So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain on the alert and sober-minded”, just as the Holy Scriptures tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:6. Our enemy attacks all the time non-stop like a powerful force of attackers that goes forth like locusts to torment mankind and destroy . The enemy is darkness in nature and works during these period. Brothers and sisters, waging an attack with Prayer during these times provides a significant advantage in our personal warfare- chains are broken whilst the enemy is planning to attack- bringing about confusion in the enemies camp. Our commander in Chief Yeshua, has thought us how to do this. In the book of Mark 1:35, ”Very early, while it was still night, Yeshua got up, left, and went away to a place in the wilderness; and there He was praying’‘. When you develop a habit of praying like Yeshua, you’re victorious in your battles. John 1:5 reminds us that ”The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it” . Position yourself not to be sleeping excessively and be discipline. Ephesians 6:18 reminds us to, ”Pray in the Ruach (Spirit) on every occasion, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, keep alert with perseverance and supplication for all the kedoshim (holy ones).” Prayer aids divine positioning– when you pray, The Holy Spirit [Ruach ha-Kodesh] positions you at the right place, at the right time, to be part of Gods Power and Glory. The story of the ‘The Centurion’s & Peter’s Visions’ in the book of Acts 10 are good examples of divine positioning when you pray continuously and willingly practice tzedakah [charity, justice or righteousness].
Smoke screening is another tactics deployed by creating clouds of smoke positioned to provide concealment, allowing military forces to advance or retreat across open terrain without coming under attack from the enemy. Brothers and Sisters, the closest people around you ensures that , you position yourself to either win or be defeated in spiritual warfare. They will provide ‘concealment’ or expose you to the enemy. Our commander in Chief Yeshua knew he can’t fight the battle preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of God alone. Yeshua is God , He became flesh and was counted with transgressors to bore and intercede for the sins of many, as it was foretold in the book of Isaiah 53; Yeshua cannot be everywhere at the same time so in Matthew 10:1-4, he selected twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, so they could drive them out and heal every kind of disease and sickness. Yeshua had an inner circle within the twelve disciples. You need the closest people around to encourage, but not discourage you. Do you have people that are always negative and only able to tell you the truth based on their understanding but not in the spirit? When Jesus Christ raised the twelve year old daughter of Jairus from the dead in the book of Luke 8:49-56, He entered the house and did not allow anyone to go in with Him except three of His disciples – Peter, Jacob, and John-the brother of Jacob and the child’s father and mother. He did not want to give the opportunity to any opposition and negativity even from His own disciples; He knows our hearts. Her parents were astounded when the little girl got up, but Yeshua ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Why? the truth is that, it wasn’t Gods time. Positioning yourselves with people that talk too much about your affairs exposes you to the enemy for an attack in spiritual warfare. Or perhaps you don’t watch your mouth? Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that, ”Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.”
The Sick man at the Pool of Bethzatha identified no one was around to put him into the pool’. Brothers and sisters, if you trust and position yourself to be helped by man, you will be disappointed. GOD does not even trust his heavenly servants- ; Job 4:18 tells us that, ”He puts no trust in His servants and accuses His angels of error.” The Bible also says in Isaiah 2:22 ,”Stop trusting in mankind—whose breath is in his nose— for what is he really worth?” Position yourself to trust in ADONAI Elohim [GOD] with all your heart [Spirit]. GOD said in the Holy Scriptures of Jeremiah 17:5-6 that, “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, and depends on flesh as his arm, and whose heart turns from Adonai. For he will be like a bush in the desert. He cannot see goodness when it comes, but will dwell in parched places in the wilderness— a salt land where no one lives”. Another tactic on positioning in physical warfare is working in ‘fire teams’ known as leapfrogging’ -where one team attempts to suppress the enemy while the other moves either toward the enemy or to a more favourable position. Yeshua said in Matthew 18:20 that, ”For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” Are the people around you prayerful and living a righteous life? Are you praying together with anyone like a colleague or friend regularly? do you go to Synagogue or Church to pray and fellowship with other believers in Yeshua? does your partner or spouse fast and pray together with you? These are some of the questions you need to meditate on brothers and sisters, so you are able to position yourself to suppress the enemy in spiritual warfare. The Holy Scriptures says in 2 Corinthians 6:14 that, ‘‘Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?”
There are standard basic drills that all individual soldiers are supposed to carry out if they come under fire at the battlefield. First of all, no one keep their heads up when coming under fire, is a very foolish thing to do. Keeping your head up under fire during a battle is simply pride in spiritual warfare. Pride is a spiritual entity that connects you with darkness – Proverbs 11:2 tells us that,”When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom”. Yeshua also said in Matthew 23:12 that, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted”. Secondly, don’t position yourself, telling everyone about your problems, but be selective with your ‘spiritual inner circle’; or end up conceding defeat in your day-to-day battles. 1 Peter 5:7 says, ”cast all your worries on Yeshua, for He cares for you”. Brothers and sisters, remember we are not like others- one of our weapons against the enemy is praise and worship in times of trouble; they are so powerful in breaking any chain of fears attached to our lives. If you Position yourself to give praise and worship to the Almighty GOD like the psalmist in the Holy Scriptures of psalm 22; it brings HIS presence into our lives in times of suffering -loneliness- rejection-despair. Yeshua said in John 15:10 that, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love”. Positioning yourself to read the Holy Scriptures -Bible daily and obey God’s Ten commandments will ensure your spirit is filled with directive and guidance for your soul and ‘everyday spiritual battles’; like in the Military, we read guidance and follow rules of engagement with the enemy on the battlefield. Your spirit will be assured that, you’re protected in God’s Love day-by-day. Meditate on the Lord’s prayer (Our Father). Yeshua taught us how to live a righteous life and pray in the book of Matthew 6:1-24 – a powerful weapon that defeats the enemy in every battle. Remember each sentence in the Lord’s Prayer taught by Yeshua is a sermon on itself.
Don’t position yourself to destroy your soul going around different places striving to learn how to pray or speak in tongues; or perhaps your’e looking for ‘quick solution’ to your troubles in life. But rather allow the Holy Spirit [Ruach ha-Kodesh] that lives in you to guide you to pray. Because the devil also speaks in tongues and is ‘destructive’. 1 Corinthians 3:16 tells us that, ”Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that the Ruach Elohim [Spirit of God] dwells among you?” The Holy Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 16:13 also tells us that, ”Be on the alert! Stand firm in the faith! Be men of courage! Be strong!” Brothers and sisters, Positioning yourself through repentance and forgiveness ensures that, the Holy spirit stays with you to help you. Repentance is playing our part where forgiveness is Gods reaction for our effort. Yeshua said in the book of Mark 11:25 that, ”Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your transgressions. Position yourself not to hold unforgiveness ,grudges with people, pain of the past and anger in your heart (spirit). God told Moses in Exodus 3:14 that, my name is I AM WHO I AM – The God we serve, is a God of Now! He Acts Now! He Forgives Now! He Delivers Now! Position yourself to stay away from sin Now! Yeshua summed up all the commandment’s of GOD for us in Luke 10:27, He said that, “You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” If you love God, you will position yourself, to follow HIS commandment’s.
Prayer
Lord Almighty God, give me the Grace to follow your commands; position me for your Power and Glory in Jesus Christ [Yeshua] name.
Amen
Further Reading
Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56 ; Acts 10 ; Luke 1:37; 1 Kings 19 ; Romans 8 ; Luke 18; John 1:1-18
