The Response of Heaven : Bishop Tony Samuels
In any situation that happens in life, we are the deciding factor. Our response will determine if something stops, or something continues in our lives. The question is never, what does the enemy have to say? Or even, what does God say? The question is, what do you say? What is going to be your response in any given situation? As a matter of fact, there is always an audience watching to see what happens, to see what our response is going to be.
Deuteronomy 30:19 says, Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! The word response means: a written or verbal answer to a question in a test. We are the deciding factor in any situation, and our answer will determine if we experience life or death. Heaven is waiting on our response!
Matthew 18:18-19 says, Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Heaven responds to the response of man on the earth. We have the power to bind, to stop something; we have the power to loose, to bring freedom in a situation. We represent the authority of God on the Earth!
Look at 1 Peter 4:12-13: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy. The Glory of God is activated by our response! A test or trial is merely a passageway for us to experience the Glory of God at the end.
Psalms 27:13 records David’s response to life’s situations: What, what would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Many times, I have been in a situation, not responding, just mulling it over in my mind trying to make sense; riding on the roller coaster of my human reasoning. I have even asked, “Where is the Lord?” And every time, when the pity party was done, the Lord would always say, “What is your response to this?” Our response is based on what we believe. 2 Corinthians 4:13 says, We, having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. What you truly believe will be revealed by your response.
Our corporate fast this year has been powerful. I believe it has removed barriers of doubt and unbelief that were hindering us, individually and corporately. As we stay in a constant state of expectation, a constant state of praise, a constant state of prayer…we are primed to see God do something special and fresh in our lives. Keep responding like Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and you will experience the Glory of God in every situation.
