By Candice Simmons
In the wake of all the recent tragedies the Lord has been speaking to me about rest this month. Not a physical rest, but a heart rest, a rest that comes from trusting Him and resting the whole of our problems with Him. When things don’t go as we planned and terrible things happen it can be awfully hard for our hearts to remain in His rest.
You may be one of those who are feeling a sense of desperation and weakness in knowing there is nothing you can do on this earth to change your situation. We can thank God that the end of our strength is the beginning of His. I prophesy that you will enter into His peace that passes all understanding. For His love is coming to you to draw you into a place of His rest right now. 2nd Tim. 4:17 His love stood with me and gave me strength.
I’ve had several dreams about Goshen lately. Each time I would see the Lord leading His people in. (Goshen was the land in Egypt that the pharaoh during Joseph’s time had set apart for the Israelites during a very difficult time of famine.) It was in Goshen that the Israelites grew and multiplied. And in the time of the plagues it was the only place free of flies (which can represent unhealed wounds) Ex. 8:22 and hail (which can represent serious pain & disappointment) Ex. 9:26. The Father wants to heal your wounded heart as you step into the safe place of His love for you. I can still hear the voice of the Father in the dream calling us to come in. He was gently calling out, “Come.” There is not a sweeter word then “Come”. He wants to bring you into His love, into the safe place of His heart to sequester your hearts in your difficult days in the resting place of His love. It says in Ps. 46:1 God you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you!
Like the maiden in Song of Songs we must find Him, the one that we adore and fasten him to us our hearts once again. We cannot afford to lose what we once enjoyed, that first love feeling. Nothing can take it’s place. So just let Him draw you in right now. He’s come to draw you in. “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to Him.” Gen. 45:10
I’ve also been dreaming about apple tree experiences. I had one dream that I was being lead down a garden path through an apple orchard. I was looking for one particular kind of apple tree, the tree that was the most beautiful tree in the orchard and had on it’s branches the best fruit. I knew that if I ate from that tree that I would feel fulfilled. Song of Solomon 2:3 “My Beloved is to me as the finest, fragrant apple tree— He stands above the sons of men. Sitting under his grace- shadow, I blossom in his shade, enjoying the sweet taste of his pleasant, delicious fruit, resting with delight where his glory never fades.” Song of Solomon 2:3 “He stands above the sons of men!” This is a picture of Jesus, our Beloved. He is the tree that “stands above the sons of men” It’s time to sit under his grace- shadow and blossom in His shade. And His words are like “apples of gold in fittings of silver”, golden apples- “A Word fitly spoken are like apples of gold in fittings of silver – His love apples, the words of affirmation that He speaks over our lives. And we are those fittings of silver. He speaks His promises over us through His Word and they are beautifully displayed (fitted) into our redeemed lives.
In my dream we not only ate from His tree, but we heard the tree singing over us and a refreshing voice of love cascaded over each one like a waterfall of healing. He is singing over you today. Zeph. “He rejoices over you with singing.” He rejoices in your love.
And not only is Jesus represented by an Apple tree, but He is a vine and we are His branches. He tells us: “Abide in Me.” We must remain in
Him each moment, clinging in grace to His hand. For a branch does not come and go, it remains with the vine, connected to its source. Real love will cling to Him…. no matter what.
Here’s a blog my granddaughter, Brianna Nowell, a young mother wrote recently that speaks into the heart of the matter.
Don’t be surprised when you speak to the mountain and it doesn’t move. Don’t be surprised if it seems to grow taller and more treacherous than before. Don’t be surprised when you turn away and see God is standing there. With His arms wide open, beckoning you to come to Him.
The mountain you have been speaking to was never yours, it is HIS. When you turn to Him, turn your heart, eyes, and gaze to Him then the mountain will not be your focus. All you will see is a Good Father, with His arms out, asking you to come to Him.
The mountain and memory of it will fade away and the promises, the DNA of your purpose will be revealed to you. The mountain will crumble and you won’t even have to walk on it, or get over it, because it is gone, and God has removed it! Now He has your heart and now you know your purpose.
It was never to face this mountain alone, it was to turn to the one who makes all things possible. To align your heart with the genetics of His goodness and love. In His arms you WILL be safe. In His love fear WILL be gone. Knowing Him WILL be the freedom you have been searching for.
The mountain WILL fall.
~Brianna Nowell
Time for the mountain to go, time for rest, time to come to the place where you can be refreshed.
ONE LAST THING
Like at the beginning of the year the Lord is still speaking to me using the little prefix re. Even this week he said to me these words, “I’m reclaiming things that have been lost. I’m regaining the ground for you of what the enemy has tried to destroy. I will restore, revitalize and revive communities and peoples. It’s time to sequester your heart in Goshen. Isaiah 30:15 “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence.” Ro. 12:11 Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. And then watch as He ignites your heart to run faster, to soar higher and to go deeper with Him.
Genesis 45:10 “You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me.
-Candice Simmons | Passion Translation
#ThePassionTranslation