OVERCOMING HINDRANCES TO ENLARGEMENT

OVERCOMING FORCES HINDERING ENLARGEMENT

The coast is the border, territory, neighborhood and access area. It sets an edge around you and defines your limits. 

Everybody has a border, every town, country and village has boundaries. One of the causes of conflicts among people, nations, and communities is transgression of borders. When you encroach into another person’s properties, you have become a transgressor.

You have enlargement of coast or border when you get married, get a job, open a new business, receive an open door, ministerial increase, new babies, open another branch of your business, when you have more customers, experiencing spiritual growth-you can pray in tongues, read Bible, preach the gospel, etc. In all these your coast is enlarging.

TEXT: 1Ch 11:4-9 KJV 4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. 5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David. 6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief. 7 And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David. 8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.

The Lord promised to bring out the children out of Israel when they were in Egypt. He promised that He will bring them out and give the land of the kingdoms in Canaan

Exo 3:17 KJV And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

After 40years in the wilderness they got to Cannan. It took a long time before they eventually got there. I don’t know the promise you are believing God for and I may not know how long you have been believing, but be assured that it will come to pass in your lifetime.

If it is a breakthrough, you will have it. If it is a marital blessing, you will have it. If it is about your job, it shall come to pass in Jesus name.

The lands were divided among the tribes based on lots

Num 26:54 KJV To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.

Num 33:54 And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.

It was expected that when you get your lot, the responsibility is on you to drive out the original inhabitants and then possess their land. However, many tribes were not able to do that as expected. Two of such are the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

Though the Jebusites had been conquered by Joshua, (Jos 11:3 ) and Jerusalem captured, (Jud 1:8 ) yet, as the children of Judah did not occupy it, but “set the city on fire,” it seems to have been soon re-peopled by its old inhabitants, who there maintained their independence,

Jos 15:63 KJV As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

Jdg 1:21 KJV And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

That is, that part of it which belonged to them, for it lay between Judah and Benjamin; and neither of them separately, nor both conjunctly, could drive out the Jebusites from it, particularly the stronghold on the top of Mount Sion

The tribe of Judah could not drive them out at first from that part of it which belonged to them, nor the tribe of Benjamin from that part which was theirs. The Jebusites were sharing their inheritance with them. Whatever is taking what is your shall be paralysed from today in Jesus name.

Many years later, David was anointed king over all Israel after he had stayed 7years in Hebron.

From the text we read, He and all Israel and his men came to Jerusalem or the city of the Jebusite. He wanted to use the city as his headquarters and capital. It was an expedition. It was also an enlargement of borders beyond Hebron. 

But they met opposition. The inhabitant of Jebus told him plainly that he cannot come into their city. They said thou shall not come hither.

2Sam 5:6 KJV And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

Every power that wants to stop your progress shall be defeated in Jesus name.

They said he cannot come in hither. This was a verdict; judgmental sentence; it was a judicial pronouncement against David. In other words, they were saying you might have been going to other places but this place is a no go area.

There are many of us that the enemy has said, “you cannot”. Maybe they said you cannot build a house, buy a car, get married, start a business, get a good job and so on and so forth. But can I pray for somebody? Every judgmental utterance, pronouncement and verdict passed over anyone is vacated in Jesus name. It shall not find an expression over your life in Jesus name.

I wanted to know what was the confidence of the Jebusires to taunt and mock David. David the man of war. David was the one that killed Goliath. What was their boldness? What made them say the blind and the lame were enough to drive David. This led me to find out about their City Jerusalem. Here are some passages that described Jerusalem and are the pointers that tell us what Jerusalem looks like at that time.

1. Jebus or Jerusalem is a compact city

Psa 122:3 KJV Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

literally, “joined to itself together;” that is, when one part is, as it were, bound closely to another part; not scattered or separate. The walls are all joined together; and the houses are all united to one another so as to make a compact place.

2. Jerusalem was surrounded by mountains and hills

Psa 125:2 KJV As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

Jerusalem, except on the north, is encompassed with hills or mountains, so that although the city was built on hills – Zion, Moriah, Bezethah, Acra – it was itself surrounded by hills higher than any of these, and was, in a certain sense, in a valley.

Jerusalem was situated on a rocky mountain every way to be ascended, except a little on the north, with steep ascents and deep valleys, naturally fortified. It is surrounded with other mountains, at no great distance, as if placed in the midst of an amphitheater; for on the east is Mount Olivet, separated from the city by the valley of Jehoshaphat, which also encompasses a part of the north; on the south, the mountain of Offiner interposed with the valley of Gehinnom; and on the west it was formerly fenced with the valley of Gihon, and the mountains adjoining. The situation was such as to be easily rendered impregnable.

3. There has been previous failed attempt

Remember in Joshua 15: 63 and Judges 1: 21 that the tribe of Benjamin and Judah from which David came from had made attempts several years back but they could not drive the Jebusites out and so they lived together with them. What makes David think that he will be able to do it now if his ancestors could not do it?

Will David turn back now? Will he give up now after all his forefather had tried and had no success.

Can I pray for you whatever anyone has attempted and failed in your family, because you belong to Christ, you shall have success in it in Jesus name. Family failure shall not be reputed in your time in Jesus name

This was the nature and the state of Jerusalem. If you understand the picture very well, you can then decipher why they said unto David you cannot come in here.

You don’t say someone cannot do something except he has made several attempts, in other words they were saying no matter what you do; you cannot gain access here.

I don’t know the confidence of that power in your compound, in your family house, at the place of work boasting against you, but in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, that confidence shall fail them this year and they shall be disappointed in Jesus name.

They mocked David. They said if you try any nonsense, the blind and the lame will pursue you. I don’t know the mockery you have been subjected to, it shall turn to testimony in Jesus name.

What will David do this time around?.

David gave a challenge

David turned to his armies, gave them this singular challenge and said anyone that smite the Jebusite shall be the General. 

1Ch 11:6 KJV And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief. 

This seems to be an impossible task. Remember when we described the city of Jerusalem that it was impregnable. How will they do that? How was Joab able to do it?

You see when you study the Bible and you put them side by side, what this one left out the other will include it and so you are not only able to connect the dots but most importantly receive revelational knowledge. They also compliment and complete each other. You will be able to rightly divide the word of truth.

The writer of this account in 11 Samuel gave us the clue.

2Sa 5:8 KJV And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

David said whosoever gets to the “gutter”. This word is left out by the Chronicle account and that is very important.

The Hebrew word for gutter is “tsinnûr”. It means: pipe, spout, conduit, water conduit, to be hollow ; a culvert: – gutter, water-spout, water-course and bed or channel of a river. But most interpreters agree in making the words signify something hollow, and in applying it to water; which might well be applied to a subterraneous passage, or great hollow, through which men could pass and repass for water.

The only access to the citadel was where the water had worn a channel  or subterranean channel, and where there was, in consequence, some vegetation in the rock. Joab took the hint, and with all the activity that had distinguished his brother Asabel 2Sa 2:18, climbed up first

Even though the city was impregnable yet there was an opening they never thought anyone would know. It was this opening that Joab and his men took and gained access into the citadel.

Listen, no matter how powerful that enemy is and it doesn’t matter how long the enemy has been oppressing you, there is a secret and loophole somewhere. If I have prayed and it seems there is no headway, rather than complaining and blaming God,  I just pray for revelation. Let the Lord expose the secret. And once that is done, I know what to pray for and get victory. That is the secret to great deliverance.

The secret of their defeat was exposed. May God expose your enemies. Wherever they are hiding, the Lord shall expose them in Jesus name.

Ladies and gentlemen, the jebusite must be brought down. The Bible recorded that Joab went there and smote them and he became the captain, thus they were defeated that very day. What the tribes of Judah and Benjamin could not do, David did.

After their defeat, David made this city his capital and from there he became very great

The Bible says nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion : Despite the difficulty, David and his men took the city.

2Sa 5:9-10 KJV 9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. 10 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

After this encounter, you shall move forward and spread out in Jesus’ name.

Confront the Jebusite who wants to keep you outside your inheritance. When you smite them; you will take over and possess your land.

Lessons to learnt 

• Make a move. The Bible says David went from Hebron unto the Jebusites. Take a step of faith, James said faith without work is dead. Jas 2:19-20 KJV 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? You must leave your comfort zone into the unknown.
• David overcame the first warfare in his mind. When they told him he cannot, he renewed his mind that he can. The number one place where we need to overcome opposition is in our mind. It is the first battleground. Have a new mindset about yourself. 2Cor 10:4-5 KJV 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Imagination takes place in the mind. Prov 23: 7. As a man thinketh in his heart or mind so is he. Your life will go the way of your dominant thought. The moment you have “ i cannot” all the forces of nature and your subconscious mind will gather together to make sure that you will never be able to do that thing.
• Every attempt to enlarge will be met with stiff opposition. Jesus said you shall have tribulations Jn 16: 33. Paul said that those who will live Godly in this life shall suffer persecution. If you are not suffering persecution, there is a tendency that you are compromising with them. The only way you don’t encounter opposition is when you are moving in the same parallel direction with the devil. It is only when you are comfortable where you are. It is when you are not attempting new things or trying to break new ground. Then you won’t have a problem with the devil and his cohorts. Once you decide to swim upward the current will attempt to stop you. Paul said there were doors opened unto him but there were many adversaries. He had the opportunity to take the gospel far and near but there was opposition. 1Co 16:9 KJV For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
• Don’t be intimidated by the enemy’s utterances. The Devil creates fear by words, thoughts and suggestions. You have assurance that no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper. 2Ti 1:7 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
• Don’t be afraid of the mountain. The Bible says ”  nevertheless” David took the fort. Despite the difficulty, he took it. Mountains in the Bible depicts problems and challenges. What do you do to the mountain? Speak unto the mountain Mk 11: 23. Don’t speak to God about the mountain but talk to the mountain about your God. Tell him that your God is greater than any mountain. Jesus said my Father is greater than all.
• Don’t be moved by the mockery of the people. People will mock and laugh at you, please don’t be deterred. They will come back to celebrate with you. Gen 21:6 KJV And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. They will celebrate with you. You will dance your dance and you will sing your songs. You will share what I call “WOO” testimony.
• Take the challenge. Joab took the challenge and became the army general. No pain; no gain. No thorn; no crown. In order not to remain in one place all through life, face the challenge. Prove them wrong. Prove that your God is more than able.
• Be prayerful, praying in all manners of prayers. Put on the whole armour of God. Take the protective, defensive and offensive armour. Life is spiritual. Eph 6:12-18 KJV For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

What do you do with the sword of the Spirit? Find out what the Lord Jesus did with his own.

Rev 1:16 KJV And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

What did He do with it?

Rev 19:15 KJV And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Smite them with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Use the word to cut them in pieces. David said whosoever will smite the Jebusite.

Today there are Jebusites everywhere saying you cannot. Confront your Jebusite headway. We are fighting from the position of a victor and victory. The outcome is already determined.

The battles we have today are battles of words. Remember the story of David and Goliath. They traded words. By the words of David, Goliath became a dead man walking. That is why He said take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. It is what you have in you that the Holy Spirit will quicken to you in the days of battle and warfare.

When they say you cannot, you say, I can, I am able, I can do all things through Christ that infuses me with energy. I will take over the fort of life.

Prayers

1. Because the Bible says that no weapon fashioned against me shall prosper, therefore, every evil judicial pronouncement, judgemental sentence passed over my life that i cannot. As I pray now, I command them to be annulled, vacated and rendered useless.
2. Every power that opposes enlargement in my life and destiny dies by fire in Jesus name.
3. In Jebus, mountains and hills were natural opposition to the invasion of the land. Whatever is standing as opposition to my enlargement and greatness, let the fire of the Lord consume them now.
4. I decree and declare, I shall be enlarged. I shall prosper, I shall wax great after the order of David.