In Showers of Prayers – God Rules

Posted on July 10, 2013 by kimberlyjdeane under Prayer
Come join me in reading a written testimony of how God worked in me at the most horrific time in my life. God’s interceded through the power of prayer. Now, I’m convinced God is mighty to save!

The greatest proof of testimony I have to share is a copy of a letter I wrote in January 2008. Let me take you back to a time when my family endured the worse sorrow ever. On August 10, 2003, my former husband Bill, was murdered. This was the beginning of a horrible nightmare. Just a short six months later, on February 24, 2004 we learned Michael, our son, had been murdered too. At the time of this writing, a jury had been selected as we were moving towards trial. In sadness and desperation my heart poured out these words asking for people to partner with me in prayer. My request was a plea to seek God to intervene and bring about justice.

Dear Family, brethren, and friends,

Many of you have walked along side of me through various trials. Thank you for your loving care and support.

My personal experiences, with mixed tribulations help me see my past adversities through a different lens. They weren’t meant for harm but useful for strengthen me to face my troubles with head on strength and courage. Memory of past Scriptures gave confidence as I saw how my faith had become fortified. One such passage was; “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes; I will hold you up and retain you with my [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.” (1) However, there’s never been a time such as this, where the magnitude of the trial is extremely overwhelming and my need so great. This brings me to why I am writing this letter: As many of you know, over five years ago my former husband, Bill, and my son, Michael, were violently murdered. Chaos and broken were the results. As I pen these words, a jury has been selected and trial moving forward to determine the guilt or innocence of the person held in custody. My request is for you to join me in prayer – so God’s power can be released and we will see justice served as the world looks on. All to God’s glory!

What is my part in all of this and what role can I play? God must have trust in me – to appoint this assignment. Although its sorrowful, I am not alone. The Lord has given me the ability to honor and praise Him in spite of the anguish. Along with all these emotions I come back to the place I find my rest: God is my Savior, my King, my Lord, my Righteousness, and my Holiness. His essences and attributes are wonderful. He is all-powerful and He is life forevermore. He is the answer to what I can’t explain, and He is my victory even when in pain. He comforts me in ways like no one else can. The Lord is the solid ground in which I stand. He is the ‘GREAT I AM.’

The concept that God Almighty rules everything is certain; even so, my heart aches with His, over criminal injustice. Tension, along with recognitions of evil, reveals we are in a spiritual battle between light and darkness. Wars and conflicts have raged for centuries, nothing new. By diligent study I found several cases of warfare in the Bible. One such place is in Exodus, where Aaron and Hur supported Moses to fight the wicked Amalek – as Joshua led Israel into battle. “And it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses; hands became heavy…and Aaron and Hur supported his hands…and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun”. (2) Moses needed the help and support of Aaron and Hur for absolute victory. And the support came from both sides…”one on one side and the other on the other”. So too, I am seeking people who will come along side to help fight this enemy who oppose God’s truth. Joshua defeated Amalek by God’s divine intervention. The Lord used Aaron and Hur as His instruments to accomplish His perfect will. We, too, can cry out to God in humble pleas, for Him to intervene in divine ways. I am asking that we will! Another place I found warfare is in 2 Chronicles 20. I was inspired by King Jehoshaphat response to a crisis when he received the dreadful news of an appending attack. A multitude of enemies were about to come against him to exterminate them. The godly principles he embraced are some of the greatest examples of how to combat the enemy forces. The first response of this mighty man of God was to call a fast, and to pray. Steadfastly, in prayer and supplication this ruler sought God’s presences. His nearness became his confidence. May we do the same! He also acknowledged who God was, (absolute Sovereign Ruler), what God was able to do (rescue), and who they were (God’s elect, who believed on God’s deliverance). Jehoshaphat wise insights provide a correct perspective in seeking God’s perfect plan. May we seek to align ourselves with His perfect divine will as Jehoshaphat did.

In addition to these truths, three more insights were discovered. First, Jehoshaphat eyes were on the Lord, not on fear, nor circumstances, or on what he heard or saw but on God, alone. In part, his petition went like this: “…nor do we know what to do but our eyes are upon you”. (3) Likewise, I can’t come against these forces in my own strength. My eyes are fixed on Jesus! Second, this was not his battle but the Lords, so to, the battle is not mine but God’s. May it please God to see my dependence is on Him, to display His surpassing greatness at this time? King Jehoshaphat fell down to worship God in holy reverence. His example speaks to me.

What a wonderful lesson to learn!

It’s worth noting what King Jehoshaphat did before battle. He appointed singers to worship the Lord and praise the beauty of holiness. As they through faith by obedience moved towards the enemy’s territory the Lord did a mighty thing? Can you imagine a chorus leading the army into battle, worshiping God’s holiness by proclaiming thanks in singing, “Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever?” This beautiful music must have stirred a heightened response of intensity as they marched forward. But what was the enemy’s response as they heard the joyful exalted sounds? It must have thrown them into confusion because in the mist of this exaltation the opponent’s turned on one another to destroy each other. Read the radiance of joy on the faces of Jehoshaphat’s army, as they triumph, in verse 27, “…for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies”. They saw victory! God takes pleasure when we rejoice over His triumphs. (4) You can read the story for yourself. It is quite remarkable!

Will God use our circumstances to exhibit His goodness and praise? Can there examples be utilized for our prevailing modern-day climate of violence? Jehoshaphat exemplary actions were ignited by faith. Will the driving force of faith propel us forward, too? I humbly bow asking our great and awesome God to manifest His power to us like He did Jehoshaphat. Who knows – maybe in His perfect plan He will display His greatness, or perhaps He’ll do another kind of marvelous work…all to our surprise! Whatever the outcome…He will act according to His own purposes. In His perfect way!

There is one other thing Jehoshaphat was known for. He stimulated revival. I wonder was revival spurred – on because God honored his desire for righteousness, truth and justice? Oh, how I pray God would stir our hearts to yearn for righteousness, truth and justice that we might see revival, too! Can we step out to take God at His word? “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. (5)” God’s power works within us! With such awesome power at work in us, can stand unite? Let us seek our great God of the universe to shake Simi Valley, Moorpark, and the surrounding communities, and the world at large, for His Kingdom? We covet your prayers, trusting and watching to see what God will do.

May our focus be on Christ’s exalted position high above all the evil forces of this world! Please pray for us: Plea in truth God’s power will dispel Satan’s diversionary strategy…as this foe is aimed to destroy us by usurping God’s authority, and to discredit our testimony. (6) The truth is that evil’s influences can only operate according to and by permission of God. Yet the battle rages on and we are called to pray! We seek to appeal to a Holy God – that, justice will be served while evil is vanquished.

Please pray for protection over me, and my family.

Here are some additional prayer needs:

• We also, ask for prayer for wisdom for our D. A., the Judge, and Jury,       who will make the final decisions in trial.
• We seek for truth to prevail to exposes Satan’s deceptions.
• Pray for repentance, and salvation for who is responsible.
• Fervently, please for those who do not know Jesus as Lord to come to know Him as Savior.
• Pray for those who are watching on the side lines that they will be stirred by God’s power and light will penetrate into darkened souls shattering blindness by opening eyes with the knowledge of His truth.

Our faith is built on God, only. We realize He is the authority to rule in our lives by judging as He sees fit – according to His purposes. In humble resignation, we bow to the Lord and commit these circumstances to His control. We are willing to accept whatever the outcome; our family knows the ultimate judgment is eminent and will eventually be determined by God at the end of time…as revealed in Scripture.

With hearts held up in gratitude we adore, thank, and love our God. We hold tight to His promises. My husband and I are grateful for God’s sustaining power where we see how He has kept us and our family safe at this time of hardship. We count our blessings daily. We are also continually thankful for our love ones, brothers and sisters in the Lord and friends who show their care by actively supporting us by holding us up in prayer (past, present, and future). Many thanks to faithful friends!

In Christ,

Kim Armstrong

The person responsible of killing Mike and Bill was convicted and remains on death row. Our family is grateful we were among the few who saw justice served. Many times we questioned if we would see fair justice. It was proven to us God is bigger, wiser, and stronger than any earthly court system. He is fair, just and true to His Word. Our story became redemptive when the Lord magnified His mercy through our personal crisis. This is when we saw the greatest compassion of mercy pour out over us. Graciously, God chose to intervene and expose evil to bring about its ramifications. Thus, God used our story to showcase His justice and glory.

Footnotes:
1. Isa. 41: 10 (amp) BibleGateway.com
2. Ex 17: 19-13 (esv) Biblia.com
3. 2 Chron 20: 12b (nas) BibleGateway.com
4. 2 Chron 20: 21-22 (nasv) BibleGateway.com
5. Eph 3: 20 (nas) BibleGateway.com
6. 2 Cor 10: 3-5 (esv) Biblia.com