MESSAGE: Abiding Under the Canopy of God
Last week we dealt with the spirit of flesh in our life. We called upon God together last week to deliver us from our self, to break and to mould us. We also asked God for his Holy Spirit to possess us completely. Those were some of the prayers we prayed last week.
MESSAGE: This week’s message is called “Abiding under the Canopy of God.”
A canopy is a protective covering. Therefore abiding under the canopy of God is to be
obedient to the law while under the protective covering of the almighty God.
Text: Numbers 9:15-23
15And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. 16So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. 18At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. 19And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not. 20And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. 21And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 22Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. 23At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
The bible says a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night guided and protected
the Israelites as they traveled across the wilderness.
The cloud we are talking about is not just an ordinary phenomenon; they were the
vehicle of God’s presence and the visible evidence of his moving and directing the
children of Israel.
They traveled and camped as God directed to do. They never move
without the direction of God.
When flesh is destroyed in the life of a believer, such life, abide under the canopy of
God. The life of such believer is no longer controlled by them, it now ruled by the
Holy Spirit of God for direction and guidance. The person will follow God’s guidance;
you will know where God wants you and where he doesn’t want you. You will be able
to ask such question as what do you want me to do where I am right now? And not
what do you want me to do next?
Sometimes where you are right now may not be favorable to you but that is where God
had you for the moment. Abiding under the canopy of God is not just for favorable
times, it is not just for your next big move. Its about you being obedient and
submissive right where you are.
It is for you to understand his purpose for your life right were you are at that moment.
While abiding under the canopy of God, sometimes things would not make sense but you have to obey and follow the leading of God for your life. In Exodus 3:2 the bible says “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.”
That was how God choose to get Moses attention to come to him so He could reveal his purpose in life to him, yours may not be the same as Moses but when you abide under his canopy he will make provision for you. Whenever God leads or give you a direction he gives you provision for the mission. That is why in this MFM Denver Branch, we will not burn the fire that God has not commanded less we be consume like Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron and die. We are going to abide 100% under the canopy of God.
Many at times we know are sure we are abiding under the canopy of God and we are following his direction but nothing seems to happen. I mean we are not seeing instant result of what God had spoken to us. The bible says the vision is yet for an appointed time, even though it tarries, it shall surely come to pass. Abiding under the canopy of God sometimes does not give you an instant result.
HOW DO YOU RECEIVE FROM GOD WHEN ABIDING UNDER HIS CANOPY?
1. Seek God’s Way: Psalm 25:4: Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. David was the author of this psalm. The first step David took was to express his desire for God’s guidance. God would not force you to abide under his canopy that is why we have free will. It must be a choice you made for yourself every morning when you wake up from bed. The second step he took was to want to be thought and to learn from God. Your desire to want to be guided and your willingness to seek God, learn from his word and obey his commandment will make you to hear wondrous things from him; it will give you the opportunity to do exploit in his kingdom.
2. Allow God to Guide You Even If It Means Death: Psalm 48:14: “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” As you abide under the canopy of God He will guide you through difficult times. What you need is the guidance and guide. The bible is the guidance, it is your map; the Holy Spirit will be the constant companion and guide. As you are abiding under his canopy use both the bible and the Holy Spirit for you guidance.
3. You must trust in Him: Psalm 118:8: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” To abide under the canopy of God means to put all your trust in him to guide you here on earth and to your eternal destination.
4. Recognize God’s leading in your life: John 12:16: These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
The disciples of Jesus Christ understood for the first time after his resurrection many of the prophesy that was spoken concerning Jesus. Jesus’ word and actions took on new meaning and they began to make more sense. They now understood how he had led them to a deeper and better truth. Many things would not make sense when you are abiding under the canopy of God but as you are obedient and follow the leading they will all come together one day.
5. Follow the leading even if it seems like demotion: Acts 8:26: “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.”
Brother Philip had a successful ministry to multitudes in Samaria (Acts 8:5-8). He had to be obedient to God to leave that ministry to travel to the desert road. When you are abiding under the canopy of God, you have no control of your life and ministry. You must be willing to follow the leading of the Lord even if it seems like a demotion. It may not make sense at first but as God glorify himself and the result comes out you will understand that God is always right.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT EXCLUDE ONE FROM ABIDING UNDER THE CANOPY OF GOD?
1. Stubbornness: will exclude you from abiding under the canopy of God. Exodus 11:9-10 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.”
Pharaoh was so stubborn that with all the miraculous things happening right under his nose he still would not listen to Moses. He had his mind made up that there could never be a person greater than him. His stubbornness led to a heart so hard that major calamity could not soften his heart until the greatest of all calamities came upon him – the loss of his son. Brothers and sisters let us not wait until a major disaster come upon us before we listen to God.
Stubbornness caused King Saul to loss his throne, 1 Samuel 15:23: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
There was a person named “Asahel” in the bible who lost his life as result of his own stubbornness, II Samuel 2:21-23 21 “And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. 22And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? 23Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
Your doubt can lead to stubbornness and it is a sin against God. Thomas in the books of John chapter 20 verses 25-28 was so doubtful of Jesus’ resurrection that he demanded to see the hole on his hand and feet before he could believe. You cannot abide under the canopy of God and allow doubt to rule your life.
2. An Unprepared Heart: God only speaks and guide those whose hearts are prepared to receive from him. If your heart is not prepare you cannot abide under the canopy of God. Matthew 2:13: “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
There will be times you will have to go into hiding for the glory of God to manifest through you. Not because God could not protect you right there where you are but because He knows the right way all the time and he chooses the route and method He feels is right at a given time. Regardless of what method He chooses you must have a prepared heart to receive instructions at any time.
Through out the Old Testament we saw how the hand of the Lord was upon the children of Israel to protect them whenever they abide under the canopy of God. We also saw how God remove his hands of protection anytime they take themselves out of the canopy of God. He would allow other nations to torment them and take them captive.
We are now living under the grace of God and many times it looks as if we are going to get away with our rebellion attitude. God is still the same yesterday, today and for ever more. He would not protect anyone that refuses his canopy. He would not guide anyone walking in sin.
Learn to abide under the shadow of the almighty. Learn to listen to His voice. Learn to have quiet time with him everyday and learn to take accountability of your deeds every single day.
Let us rise up for prayer, but before we go into prayer we would like to offer you an invitation of salvation. If there is anyone here today who do not know the Lord or has not receive Christ as his or her personal Lord and savior. This is the time, all eyes close. Please show by hands if you want to accept Christ into your life today.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Thank God for the Holy Spirit.
2. Holy Spirit, reveal deep and the secret things to me about myself in the name of Jesus.
3. Lord, forgive me for every false motive or thought that has ever been formed in my
heart since the day I was born.
4. Lord, forgive me for any lie that I have ever told against any person, system or
organization.
5. Lord, deliver me from the bondage and sin of spiritual laziness.
6. Lord, reveal to me every secret behind any problem that I have.
7. Divine wisdom of God; begin to operate in my life in the name of Jesus.
8. I receive power to operate with sharp spiritual eyes that cannot be deceived in the
name of Jesus.
9. Lord, bring to the light every thing planned against me in darkness.
10. Lord, open up my understanding.
11. Lord, teach me deep and secret things.
12. Lord, give unto me the Spirit of revelation and wisdom in the knowledge of Yourself.
13. O Lord, remove spiritual cataract from my eyes.
14. Divine revelations, spiritual visions, dreams and information will not become scarce
commodity in my life in the name of Jesus.
Evang. Nimota Kelani- 1 -March 30th, 2008