Devo Week 18 - Discerning the Unseen Realm
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt.10:16
A Symbol of Healing - Look and Live
Imagine driving without road signs or symbols. Not only would getting lost be easy, but traffic jams and wrecks would be everywhere. Road rage, too. Signs and symbols help keep us on track. Their meanings help guide us along the way. The same can be true spiritually. God often uses symbols to speak to us and give direction for our journey through life.
WHO IS FOR US
Since all peoples are created in God’s image, within their cultures should be symbols that point to God. Using a symbol can be a very powerful tool in communicating the Gospel. Symbolic meanings can speak beyond words directly to the heart. They can bring peace and healing, stirring our emotions and memory. This can happen both individually and collectively.
Sanctification is one of our spiritual weapons. The Apostle Paul was mindful of this in Athens when he spoke about the ‘Unknown God.’ (Acts 17:22-30) We also found this to be true with the symbol of the village gate ritual used for both the Akha and Akeu tribes. Their village gate is considered one of their culture’s key symbols or markers. As we began to sanctify the use of this symbol by relating it to both the Passover Doorpost and the Cross, their spiritual eyes and ears were opened.
WHO IS AGAINST US
The enemy works to remove symbols or darken their meanings to cause us to lose our way. In confusion, we may become derailed, unable to move forward. As we began to use the village gate as a cultural symbol for revealing the meaning of the Cross, spiritual resistance ensued through conflict. A few refuted saying, ‘the village gate was a demonic symbol.’ The elders, however, claimed their gate had been given by God. Regardless, if there is truth in the meanings ascribed to the gate, as a symbol it can be sanctified to point them to God and bring revelation of His truth. As they sensed God speaking to them through their cultural symbol, the elders extended tremendous favor to us.
This is specifically what the Apostle Paul did at Athens with the ‘altar to the unknown God.’ Likewise, the gold in Egypt was later used in the Tabernacle of Moses. (Exodus 12:34-36) Think about it: the same gold used in idolatrous worship in Egypt was later sanctified and redeemed for worshipping the one true God of Israel. As demonic usage of a symbol is broken, it can be cleansed and used for the Kingdom of God.
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to purchase our healing through His sacrifice on the Cross. Just as His life sanctified the cross as a symbol, give us wisdom to sanctify symbols that can reveal Your Kingdom. Lord, use us to bring healing to the people around us and in the nations. We ask You to bind up the brokenhearted through our relationships, in Jesus’ name, Amen!