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Isa 49:2 And He has made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of His hand, has He hid me and made me a
polished arrow; in His quiver, has He kept me close and
concealed me. AMP
One day a
friend and I were talking about being able to speak in
front of large groups. I told her that there was a time
when I would stumble over my words and had great
difficulty speaking in front of people as well. I began to
give her the scriptures from my arsenal regarding the
ability to speak. When you have trouble, difficulty or
challenges –put the word on “it”. Regardless of what “it”
is, the Word is above it. In a posture of worship, David
reminded God that He had exalted His Word above His name.
Rightly so, for in the beginning was the Word and the Word
was with God and the Word was God. Then the Word became
flesh and dwelled among us. His Word reflects His
character and all that He is. I had better stop there or
this will take us in another direction entirely.
Let’s
return to the conversation with my friend. I began giving
her the scriptures that helped me –telling her that one of
my favorites was Isa 49: 2. She remarked that she thought
that it would make an incredible piece of art.
I
pondered the thought for a while and dismissed the concept
of focusing on the polished arrow or sharp sword. When
trying to illustrate spiritual concepts they of necessity
must be abstract and done in some way that we as mere man
can try to grasp. I did not have the scripture in front of
me as I began it, but obviously, it was in my heart. I had
forgotten that the scripture had said, “In the shadow of
His hand, in His quiver has He concealed me”.
I could feel the influence of the Hebrew meaning for
arrow, which is children, or sons and daughters…especially
“ben, bane” is son (as a builder of the family name).
Jesus was the firstborn of many brethren.
As it
progressed, I was moved to add the “Lion and Lamb” to
depict the extremes of the many characteristics and facets
of Jesus. Suddenly, within the shadow portion of the
Lion’s ear, I began to see the profile of what appeared to
be a Native American Warrior. At that point, I added a
white horse, which tied into the Native American influence
and represents Jesus return on a white horse.
At times like these, I begin to remember, it is not me but
Christ in me that is really creating the art. Now I must
tell you that when I saw it I was amazed for several
reasons. I thought that it was intriguing that the Native
American appearing in the piece tied so into the flow with
the bow, quiver, and arrows. Secondly, in 2002, a woman
told me she saw me ministering to the Native Americans.
Now, I may never physically go into that ministry arena,
but the art that He creates through me can go anywhere. To
think that by His Hand and Heart, His thoughts toward the
Native Americans were manifested within the piece.
Thirdly, the Lion is indeed the Warrior personality of
Jesus – the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Shortly
after the piece was complete, we attended a New Year’s Eve
service where the “Word” that came forth was that it was
time for us to come to know Jesus as the “Lion of the
Tribe of Judah”. Wow!! God you are so awesome.
With
heaven backing Him, He has indeed hidden you in the shadow
of His hand. Yes, in his quiver He has concealed you for
such a time when He would stretch forth His bow and shoot
you as a polished arrow into the destiny He has planned
for you since before the foundations of the world. His
timing is perfect; He knows the end from the beginning.
The earth groans for the manifestation of the Sons and
Daughters of God. If it is not yet your time, rest …hidden
and protected while He makes your mouth like a sharp sword
that it may speak the wonders of the Mighty, Powerful and
One True God.
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