When the Syrians were at war with Israel, the Lord would reveal their plans to the prophet. Time and again, Elisha warned Israel’s king of the Syrians’ strategies, thereby avoiding attack. So accurate was this information that the king of Syria assumed there was a secret informant among them. When the king discovered it was Elisha warning Israel, he sent his army to seize the prophet.
One morning when Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, went outside, he saw troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. Panic hit Gehazi as he related the desperate scene to Elisha. The prophet merely prayed that Gehazi’s eyes would be opened to see—and when Gehazi looked up, he saw that the hillside was filled with horses and chariots of fire. Elisha viewed spiritual resistance through the eye of faith!
There is more going on in the unseen realm than we realize!
With that in mind, let’s go back to Moses and notice how he and Aaron are described in Exodus 6:27: “They are the ones who went to Pharaoh to ask permission to lead the people from the land of Egypt” (NLT). God didn’t tell Moses and Aaron to ask permission, He told them to demand it.
There is a huge difference in the attitude, posture, and tone of someone asking permission versus someone demanding it. Moses stood before Pharaoh with little or no confidence in what he asked. As a result, Pharaoh put an even greater burden on the Hebrews than before.
Although Moses didn’t see the Lord at work, he heard God’s response to his accusation that He had done nothing to rescue His people (Exodus 5:23 NLT): “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh…” (Exodus 7:1 NLT).
Moses’ focus on his own inability caused him to lack the confidence that God would do what He said. I can imagine God’s finger pointed in Moses’ face when He spoke those powerful words: “…I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh….” What a statement! Demonic forces are unable to tell the difference between our voice and God’s voice when we speak what He tells us to speak—so they must obey.
If we ask the enemy to give us what God has promised, he’ll slap us down with an unbearable burden, hoping to silence us forever! God didn’t tell us to ask permission, He said to demand.
Smith Wigglesworth tells about a woman whose dog followed her to the bus stop. Along the way she would turn to the dog saying, “Go home, little doggie,” but the dog would just wag its tail and keep following her. This happened several times until the bus arrived, at which time she turned to the dog, stomped her foot, and said: “Get!” At her command of authority, the dog immediately turned around and ran home.
We need to stop acting like that woman did before the bus ever arrived. It does absolutely no good at all to ask the devil, “Please leave me alone.” We need to stomp our feet and make the kingdom of darkness obey God’s Word!
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Vikki and Dennis began as youth pastors in 1973 in Southern California where they received tremendous insight into the work of the local church. In 1976, they moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, to work with Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Vikki worked with KCM for three years before entering full-time ministry with her husband. Since that time, their relationship and involvement with Kenneth Copeland Ministries has continued. Vikki and Dennis have had numerous articles published in the Believer's Voice of Victory magazine.
Vikki has spoken in several nations including Australia, Japan, and Canada. She has ministered on television, radio, in women's conferences and marriage seminars. Her desire is to see people raised to a higher level of living through the Word of God. By acting on Gods principles, Vikki has obtained a testimony of victory and imparts encouragement to others.
Throughout the years, Vikki and Dennis have pursued new avenues of reaching people. The Lord has continued to expand their vision. Their dedication has affected thousands as they are impacting God's people with the love of God.