There are times in our journey with God where we feel like we have hit some sort of barrier or glass ceiling, and we just know that we are in desperate need of a spiritual breakthrough. We can see that there is beauty on the other side, but for whatever reason, we just cannot seem to get there in our own strength. I too have hit these glass ceilings, and at these times I have needed the Lord to help me. Jesus then intervened for me, and gave me the battle strategy I needed so that I could break through the barriers that were keeping me back from experiencing the joy and freedom He had for me. He is such a good Father, because during these times of struggle, He shows us His merciful lovingkindness and faithfulness.
I would like to share with you two ways that the Lord has helped me when I was in need of spiritual breakthroughs. I understand that we will all encounter different battles, and that the strategies the Lord gave me may not necessarily work for you. He may show you to take a different path, based upon His wisdom and knowledge. The reason I would like to share these with you is just to show you that the Lord knows what we need, when we need it. I would also like to show you from Scripture that the Lord may give us a different battle strategy each time we are in need of a breakthrough.
- Fasting for spiritual breakthrough:
A few years ago, I was really struggling to overcome something in my life, and at this time, God led me into a time of prayer and fasting as my battle strategy. To confirm His will for me to fast, He gave me the following Scripture:
Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens (lit. bonds of the yoke), to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out (wandering); when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
Isaiah 58:6-9 NKJV
I have personally experienced how fasting weakens our flesh, so that our spirit can grow stronger, and our spiritual senses can be heightened. When our spiritual senses are heightened, it is easier to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, and be more sensitive to His leading. During the time of fasting, God will lead us in prayer and Scripture study so that we can overcome those things we may be struggling with.
We are all called to fast, but fasting is not easy because we have to deny our flesh of what it wants. In my experience, I have found that fasting is an excellent way for us to overcome sin and temptation. The reason for this, is because once we have learned to say “no” to our flesh (our stomach), it is much easier to say “no” to sin and temptation.
I understand that fasting is difficult. If you have found it difficult to do a longer fast in the past, perhaps start with a 1 day fast, or a Daniel fast. The Holy Spirit will guide you. He knows the battle you are facing, therefore He knows how to secure your victory. Thank You Lord!
2. Letting go and changing our focus for spiritual breakthrough:
Recently, I found myself in a place where I needed another spiritual breakthrough. My initial thought was that I needed to fast again, because it worked so well the previous time I needed a breakthrough. God showed me that this time fasting would not be my battle strategy. He gave me the understanding that the breakthrough would only come by me letting go of things that happened in the past, changing my focus, and walking by faith.
I would like to show you an example from Scripture, of how David won 2 battles against the Philistines based upon his obedience to God’s instructions. God gave David a different battle strategy for the second battle, showing us that we need the Lord’s wisdom, guidance and direction for every battle we face:
Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim (lit. Giants). And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
The LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.”
So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim (Master of breakthroughs). And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.
So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer.
1 Chronicles 14:8-16 NKJV
From this passage of Scripture, we notice a few things that David did well:
- The Lord promised David victory in both instances, therefore David was able to move in faith. Knowing that we already have the victory in Christ – because Jesus has already won the victory for us, we too are able to move in faith. The Lord knows every battle we face, and He knows how to secure our victory. He wants us to spend time with Him in His presence so that He can warn us of upcoming battles, and give us the battle strategy which will secure our victory.
- When David heard that there were upcoming battles, he inquired of the LORD. He didn’t act presumptuously, but instead he asked God if he should go out to fight against the Philistines. There have been times in the bible where God instructed His people not to fight, but to leave the battle in His hands. We can never assume that we know best, or that the same strategy/battle plan will work a second time. We notice that God gave David a battle strategy with very specific instructions the second time round, and because David was obedient to these, he experienced the victory – just as he had the first time.
- The Lord is the Master of breakthroughs – Thank You precious Jesus! In this passage of Scripture (1 Chronicles 14:8-16), David acknowledges that it was the Lord who broke through his enemies like a breakthrough of water. When David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand”, this teaches us that it is what we do with our hands (based upon God’s wisdom and instructions) that brings the breakthrough. In other words, when we put our faith into action, this brings the promised victory from the Lord.
I would like to offer a word of encouragement to anyone who may be in need of a spiritual breakthrough. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Master of breakthroughs, and He knows how to help you because He wants you to walk in the freedom, joy and peace that He has for you. He is the only One who can break that glass ceiling for you. May I encourage you to seek His face for His wisdom and counsel. He will share His battle strategy with you and show you how to move forward. Don’t let fear hold you back. Come into the fulness of the promises He has in store for you.
I pray this message blesses you in Jesus’ precious name.