Warring from a Narrow Place: Embracing Divine Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: The Narrows as a Pathway to Life

Description: The narrow places in our lives are often the pathways through which God brings us to new life and transformation. Just as the Israelites escaped through the narrow path of the Red Sea, we too can find deliverance and transition in our narrow places. These moments are not to be feared but embraced as opportunities for God to work powerfully in our lives. The narrows can manifest in various forms—narrow timeframes, limited resources, or even emotional and spiritual constraints. Yet, these are the very conditions where God often reveals His power and presence most profoundly. We are encouraged to see these narrow places as opportunities for growth, deliverance, and divine intervention. [03:34]

Exodus 14:21-22 (ESV): "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or constraint in your life. How can you view this narrow place as an opportunity for God to work powerfully and bring about transformation?

Day 2: Divine Encounters in the Narrows

Description: It is often in the narrow places that we experience the most profound encounters with God. Whether it’s Moses meeting God in the narrow place of the Holy of Holies or Balaam’s eyes being opened in a narrow path, these tight spots are where God’s presence becomes most evident. We should seek to be spiritually aware and open to what God is revealing in these times. The narrows are places where God can realign us, reduce us to our essential strengths, and prepare us for greater things. They are also places where we can experience divine encounters, angelic visitations, and supernatural deliverance. [12:28]

Numbers 22:31 (ESV): "Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face."

Reflection: Recall a time when you felt constrained or challenged. How did you experience God's presence or revelation during that period? How can you be more spiritually aware in your current narrow places?

Day 3: Reduction for Greater Glory

Description: Sometimes, God reduces our resources, opportunities, or even our numbers to ensure that His glory is unmistakable. Gideon’s army was reduced from 32,000 to 300 to make it clear that the victory was God’s doing. In our own lives, we may find that God narrows our circumstances to prepare us for a greater victory that only He can achieve. These reductions are not setbacks but setups for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness. Embrace these moments of reduction as divine opportunities for God to show His glory in your life. [15:45]

Judges 7:7 (ESV): "And the Lord said to Gideon, 'With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel reduced or limited. How can you trust that God is setting you up for a greater victory and His glory to be revealed?

Day 4: Strength in Weakness

Description: The narrow places often reveal our weaknesses, but it is precisely in these moments that God’s strength is made perfect. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a constant reminder of his dependence on God’s grace. In our own narrow places, we can find that our weaknesses become the very areas where God’s power is most evident. Embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God to demonstrate His strength and grace in your life. Trust that His power is made perfect in your moments of vulnerability and limitation. [29:20]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Reflect on a weakness or limitation you are currently experiencing. How can you invite God to demonstrate His strength and grace in this area of your life?

Day 5: Promotion through the Narrows

Description: The narrows are not just places of trial but also of promotion. The Levites were set apart and promoted to a special role after their decisive action in a narrow place. Similarly, our faithfulness in the narrows can lead to spiritual promotion and greater responsibilities in God’s kingdom. These narrow places are opportunities for God to elevate us to new levels of service and intimacy with Him. Embrace the trials as stepping stones to greater roles and responsibilities in God's plan for your life. [34:47]

Numbers 18:6 (ESV): "And behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the Lord, to do the service of the tent of meeting."

Reflection: Consider a recent trial or narrow place you have experienced. How can you see this as an opportunity for spiritual promotion and greater responsibility in God's kingdom? What steps can you take to remain faithful in this season?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's message focused on the concept of "Warring from a Narrow Place." We explored the metaphor of our church as an aircraft carrier, a mobile platform designed to equip and send out individuals for their unique assignments. This imagery underscores our mission to align with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in all things, emphasizing the importance of being armed and dangerous for good.

We delved into the biblical concept of "the narrows," a term used to describe periods of constriction, challenge, and transition. These narrow places are not negative but are often the very means through which God brings about significant transformation and deliverance. We examined various scriptural examples to illustrate how God uses narrow places to achieve His purposes. For instance, the Israelites' escape through the Red Sea, Gideon's victory with a reduced army, and Jonah's time in the belly of the fish all highlight how God uses these tight spots to bring about His plans.

The narrows can manifest in various forms—narrow timeframes, limited resources, or even emotional and spiritual constraints. Yet, these are the very conditions where God often reveals His power and presence most profoundly. We are encouraged to see these narrow places as opportunities for growth, deliverance, and divine intervention.

We also discussed the importance of having spiritual ears and eyes open to perceive what God is doing in these times. The narrows are places where God can realign us, reduce us to our essential strengths, and prepare us for greater things. They are also places where we can experience divine encounters, angelic visitations, and supernatural deliverance.

In conclusion, the narrows are not to be feared but embraced as part of God's sanctification process. They are the pathways to life, victory, and deeper intimacy with God. As we navigate these narrow places, we are called to trust in God's timing, remain faithful, and be open to the extraordinary ways He might choose to work in our lives.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Narrows as a Pathway to Life: The narrow places in our lives are often the pathways through which God brings us to new life and transformation. Just as the Israelites escaped through the narrow path of the Red Sea, we too can find deliverance and transition in our narrow places. These moments are not to be feared but embraced as opportunities for God to work powerfully in our lives. [03:34]
2. Divine Encounters in the Narrows: It is often in the narrow places that we experience the most profound encounters with God. Whether it’s Moses meeting God in the narrow place of the Holy of Holies or Balaam’s eyes being opened in a narrow path, these tight spots are where God’s presence becomes most evident. We should seek to be spiritually aware and open to what God is revealing in these times. [12:28]
3. Reduction for Greater Glory: Sometimes, God reduces our resources, opportunities, or even our numbers to ensure that His glory is unmistakable. Gideon’s army was reduced from 32,000 to 300 to make it clear that the victory was God’s doing. In our own lives, we may find that God narrows our circumstances to prepare us for a greater victory that only He can achieve. [15:45]
4. Strength in Weakness: The narrow places often reveal our weaknesses, but it is precisely in these moments that God’s strength is made perfect. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a constant reminder of his dependence on God’s grace. In our own narrow places, we can find that our weaknesses become the very areas where God’s power is most evident. [29:20]
5. Promotion through the Narrows: The narrows are not just places of trial but also of promotion. The Levites were set apart and promoted to a special role after their decisive action in a narrow place. Similarly, our faithfulness in the narrows can lead to spiritual promotion and greater responsibilities in God’s kingdom. [34:47]
### [34:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:34] - Introduction to the Narrows
[12:28] - Gideon's Reduction
[15:45] - Moses and the Golden Calf
[18:41] - David in the Cave
[19:55] - Valley of the Shadow of Death
[20:35] - Joab's Victory
[22:18] - Elisha and the Angelic Hosts
[24:01] - Jonah in the Fish
[24:46] - Grain of Wheat
[25:34] - Peter in Prison
[29:20] - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
[30:29] - Summary of Narrows in Scripture
[34:47] - Promotion through the Narrows
[36:53] - Warring from a Narrow Place
[45:08] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the significance of the Israelites passing through the Red Sea on dry ground? How did this narrow place serve as a means of deliverance? ([03:34])
How did God reduce Gideon's army, and what was the purpose behind this reduction? ([12:28])
What was Paul's response to the thorn in his flesh, and how did he interpret God's message to him? ([29:20])
How does the concept of "the narrows" manifest in different forms according to the sermon? ([40:40])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God often chooses to work through narrow places or situations of constriction and challenge? How does this align with the examples given in the sermon? ([03:34])
In what ways can the reduction of resources or opportunities, as seen in Gideon's story, be a means for God to display His glory? ([12:28])
How can Paul's experience with the thorn in his flesh teach us about finding strength in weakness? What does this reveal about God's power in our lives? ([29:20])
How can we develop spiritual ears and eyes to perceive what God is doing in our narrow places? What practical steps can we take to be more spiritually aware? ([40:40])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced a "narrow place" in your life. How did you see God's hand at work during that period? ([03:34])
Are there areas in your life where you feel God is reducing your resources or opportunities? How can you trust that this reduction is for a greater purpose? ([12:28])
How can you embrace your weaknesses and allow God's strength to be made perfect in them, as Paul did with his thorn in the flesh? ([29:20])
What are some practical ways you can open your spiritual ears and eyes to perceive God's presence and guidance in your current circumstances? ([40:40])
Think of a current challenge or constriction you are facing. How can you reframe this situation as an opportunity for growth and divine intervention? ([03:34])
How can you cultivate a mindset of faith and trust in God's timing and processes, especially when navigating through narrow places? ([40:40])
Identify one specific area in your life where you need to let go of control and allow God to work through the narrows. What steps will you take this week to surrender that area to Him? ([40:40])

Sermon Clips

1. "Our desire is to align with the Father, Son, and Spirit in all things. In time, in seasons, directions, strategies. And so, we just believe so much that he is doing what he's done before and he speaks. Revelation. Revelation 2 and 3. Seven different times it says, now write to the church in da-da-da and say da-da-da-da-da. And he goes in there and the Lord lays it out. How many of you read Revelation 2 and 3? You should read that. Some regularity. Because every time I read it, I go, oh, I'm there. Oh, I'm there. I'm down there. Yeah. I mean, it's just, it's there." [03:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What needs to go that's keeping you stuck? To get through narrows, usually you've got to skinny down. Hello? Are you fighting the process? God's in the process of the narrows, of breaking off stuff that's holding you back. But sometimes we just fight it. And are you mindful that there are amazing things that can only happen in the narrows? Oh, I don't want to go through that. I agree. But oftentimes it's the only way you can get from A to B is through that narrow passage." [03:34] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Narrow places are often the way in which God has for you to escape and God has for you to transit. Stop going. I'm not going down that narrow place. Wait a minute. Maybe you need to get out this way. You don't even know it. Okay. Now it's through those same narrows when the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remain is the same. Narrow place that Pharaoh's troops are trapped." [12:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It is into the narrow place where the high priest stands in the presence of God. How many of you have met presence of God when you were going through a narrow place? And it's different. His presence is different there. And it is so necessary. You know, it's not normally the broad. It's normally the broad places where we really lose track with God a lot of times. Hey, I'm fat and happy. Thanks, God. Right. But when we're pressed, oh, God. Presence." [12:28] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "It is when the 32,000 are narrowed to 300 that Gideon can overcome the enemy. God does not move on his behalf until the numbers are narrowed down to that. See, sometimes you sit there and go, oh, God, how long, how thin, how skinny, how whatever. And sometimes it's just like God's waiting until the right moment. So, there's no question, no question." [12:28] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "It is so often in the narrows that, like David, we find comfort in the fact that God has authority and power. Rod and staff represent that, right? And sometimes out in the broad lands, you're just not really thinking about it. Because frankly, we're just full of ourselves at that point. We're just so glad to be in bless." [19:55] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "It's in the narrows that God will make it very clear a lot of times. You are just completely outnumbered. You are up a creek. You have no paddle. You don't have a boat. But I'm here. So it's in that time in the narrow place where the angelic hosts are present. Someone talked, we were just praying about angels being present. They are sent as ministering spirits to the saints, Hebrews 1." [22:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Sometimes God will send you into a narrow just to save you from yourself. Have you had that? Your intent on going to something and something happened just slapped you down. No? Nobody else here? Come on. I've got a few people who are chuckling, so I know they know. The rest of you are just deceived and lying to yourself. God's got your number. You didn't even know it. You thought you changed your mind. Now, God's like, okay, let's just not do that." [24:01] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "It is the narrow place of dying that leads to life. And so, so often in the narrow skies, it's a question of what do you got to die to? Hello? My way, my will, my timing, my expectation, my disappointment, my grievance, my grudge. What else do you want to put on there? If I covered the waterfront? Come on, I'm reading somebody's mail, not just my own. I just speak out of my own experience, knowing that for most of you, you're going to be there." [24:46] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "It is in the narrow place of weakness that we actually become strong. See, sometimes that narrows is just feeling beat down and discouraged. You have to get, right? This is the kintsugi bowl where it is fractured and it is filled in with gold. Are you tracking all this stuff?" [30:29] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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