“Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to birth, and there is not strength to bring forth” (II Kings 19:3).
When most of us hear the word “crisis,” there is a tendency to be fearful. I want to share the meaning of the word “crisis” from the Hebrew language so that none will be fearful. Instead, all will have a most effective tool for hope and peace.
For those who were with us at OTC this past Sunday, I brought a word on a “Life In Crisis.” That word was meant to bring us peace and hope; that it might replace any possible fear in the present or of the future. From the Webster’s College Dictionary, the word “crisis” means a turning point, as in a sequence of events, for better or for worse. It can mean a condition of instability, as in international relations, that leads to a decisive change. The word “crisis,” that is “mashber” in the Hebrew language gives a clear picture as to how a crisis may appear. Mashber literally means “the opening of the womb, or to bring to the birth.”
Crisis exists before change and promotion. Crisis will usher us into a new season, exactly as a baby in the womb exits one season and enters into another. A crisis is a precurser to the birthing of the new.
THE APOSTLE PAUL AND CRISIS
If we walk in disobedience, we will usually experience the negative outcome of a crisis. For instance, the Apostle Paul had to learn how to work with the LORD through crisises in order to birth his promotion. His difficult days were caused because of his ignorance as he confesses in the book of Titus. “For we ourselves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).
The Apostle Paul survived many crises, as he was later able to say that he had fought the good fight and kept the faith. He knew a crown of righteousness had been laid up for him because of his endurance. (II Tim. 4:7-8). There is great reward for enduring a crisis.
THE APOSTLE PETER AND CRISIS
The Apostle Peter understood that there was a birthing and promotion on the other side of crisis when he said, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. If you be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (I Peter 4:12-13).
We must learn to first discern, then endure any crisis situation. The Spirit of the LORD will work with you and teach you how to birth your promotion. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Tim. 2:12). The word “suffer” in this sentence means to endure, abide and bear bravely and calmly.1 Throughout my walk with the LORD, He has taught me how to walk through crisis situations, endure and receive a promotion time and time again. The key is “endurance.”
KING HEZEKIAH AND CRISIS
King Hezekiah was extremely distressed when he was taunted by the King of Assyria. The King of Assyria wanted to invade Judah and lay siege to it, somewhat like what we are experiencing today in America from without and from within. Unless the people of Judah served the King of Assyria, he threatened them with upcoming doom and starvation. After word got to King Hezekiah of the Assyrian king’s threats he said, “This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to birth, and there is not strength to bring forth” (II Kings 19:3).
“Come to the birth” is explained by the Hebrew word for “crisis,” (Mashber). I speak to all reading this newsletter. God knows our condition. Spiritually, many of us have been in a pregnant state ready to birth something new. The good news is that we do not have to fear bringing the child to the birth and having no strength to bring it forth. The Spirit of the LORD is as a midwife ready to assist us through the transition and to the birth.
Though Hezekiah was temporarily shaken, he called for the prophet Isaiah who said, “Thus saith the Lord, ‘Be not afraid of the words which you have heard.’ Behold, I will send a blast upon him, (King of Assyria) and he shall hear a rumor, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land” (II Kings 19:6-7).
The same holds for all of us who will work with the LORD by prayerfully seeking Him, hearing Him clearly through the study of His Word, and doing exactly as He directs. We do not have to fear the present crisis we see in our land (or in our personal lives). As we walk closely and obediently with the LORD, He will lead us through the crisis and open a door of promotion on the other side.
With love,
P/Karen
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1. THAYER’S GREEK LEXICON. Electronic Database. Copyright 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc.
