Devo Week 25 - 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
Awakened by the Name - Jesus, the Gardener
Now you’re speaking my language! We all love that sigh of relief when we’re finally understood. Known. When someone starts tracking with us, sharing the same page, relating. In cross-cultural missions, I call that the art of the Gospel – heart-level communication that reveals Jesus uniquely within another language and culture. This usually means you’ve lived close enough and long enough with the people to speak their “mother-tongue” and to understand and know them. This is that most sacred place of exchange where great spiritual battles are won.
WHO IS FOR US
The multiplication of languages was God’s idea (see Devo Week 3). This means within the languages themselves He has already prepared in advance for the spreading of the Gospel. So, take courage! God is on our side for the sake of blessing all nations and the spreading His glory throughout the earth. (Rev. 21:24)
We witnessed this among the Akha. We discovered their word for gate, Law Kah, had a powerful meaning: the first part means offering or to offer, the second part means post (or a classifier for such an item). When we began using Law Kah to explain the Cross, light and understanding broke through with the truth of God. What followed was a securing of the foundation of Christ within the culture itself (Matt. 13:33) and the making of disciples in His image. (I Cor. 3:10-11)
WHO IS AGAINST US
Jesus came to do two things: 1) Seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), and 2) destroy the works of the evil one. (I John 3:8) When we reveal or restore the original meaning and roots of words, we are engaging in spiritual warfare, destroying and dismantling the works of the enemy within the language and culture.
Once you reveal Jesus within the language, it can’t be unheard. I remember the first time praying in the Akha language using their original name for God, the heads of many elders lifted. It struck a root within their language and culture. Their hearts came alive. Suddenly, they felt like God was speaking their language. Through the ‘mother-tongue’ their hearts were opened, and the Gospel found a home.
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
Lord, thank you for being the God of both the Jews and Gentiles. We ask for grace, wisdom, and patience as we learn from other languages and cultures. Help our communication of the Gospel penetrate at heart-level. And continue to release the revelation of Jesus among all nations where we are serving, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!