The Power of Faith: Speaking from Heaven to Earth (revisited)

The Power of Faith: Speaking from Heaven to Earth (revisited)

January 15

As I sit here, I find myself in meditation on the words of James, particularly in the fifth chapter (James 5:1). The Book of James has been my recent focus of study, and I am currently in chapter 5. One profound lesson that I have encountered in my journey through James is the concept of faith – not just one type of faith, but two distinct facets of faith.

Imagine faith as a cross, with a vertical post and a horizontal post. The vertical post represents our relationship with God. It's the faith that believes in God's promises and trusts in His divine plan. The horizontal post symbolizes our interactions with fellow humans, our actions in the world. It's the faith that compels us to extend a helping hand to those in need, to pray for the sick, and to demonstrate compassion (James 5:14-15). James 5 underscores the power of faith, reminding us of the prophet Elijah, a man with human frailties like ours. He prayed fervently for rain to cease, and for three and a half years, the earth remained dry (James 5:17-18). Elijah prayed from a position of authority, aligning himself with heaven. He understood the purpose of God – to demonstrate compassion and mercy while also opposing the works of the devil. Through his prayers, Elijah brought heaven's influence to bear on the earth, resulting in both drought and rainfall as he prayed from his heavenly perspective.

The key lesson here is about understanding our position, authority, and alignment with heaven. When we grasp how this spiritual mechanism works, we can utilize it effectively. Just like Elijah, we can enter into the heavenly places with Jesus (Ephesians 2:6), speak from that heavenly position, and watch as our words influence the earth.Speaking is a fundamental aspect of this process. God created the heavens and the earth by speaking them into existence (Genesis 1). In essence, He spoke from heaven to earth. We too have the privilege of speaking from heaven, aligning ourselves with God's purposes, and witnessing His blessings manifest on earth. When we speak from a position of authority and alignment with heaven, we release blessings and transformation. Just as Jesus raised the bread and fish, spoke into heaven and multiplied the bread and fish, so can we release heavenly abundance onto the earth. It's a dynamic where heaven precedes earth, and our words bridge the two realms. We don't need to exert control or manipulate the world like those who don't know God. Instead, as we seek God's kingdom and His righteousness, all things are added unto us (Matthew 6:33). This is the promise of God's Word, and it invites us to rest in Him, having faith in His promises.

As our faith grows, we can engage in the works of God just as Jesus did – healing the sick and even raising the dead (Matthew 10:8). Our faith leads to miracles, signs, and wonders. While we wait patiently and believe, we can also administer practical remedies. Whether it's applying salves to wounds or seeking medical help, these actions may seem ordinary, but they align with the divine purpose and contribute to healing. The more we align ourselves with God, the more we open spiritual portals and accelerate our journey. We become attuned to His subtleties, and His glory manifests in our lives. The path to spiritual growth and the miraculous is a journey worth embarking on, and it all begins with understanding the power of faith – both vertically, in our relationship with God, and horizontally, in our interactions with others.

In conclusion, may we all embrace the dual nature of faith, knowing that as we speak from heaven to earth, we align ourselves with God's purposes, bring transformation to our world, and witness the fulfillment of His promises in our lives.