Numbers 23:19-20 - Don’t Drink The Water
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, as I started my prayer time, I was troubled by a proposal from someone who wanted me to bend the truth to advance an opportunity. Immediately, I felt the fire of the Holy Spirit come over me, as I felt that the LORD is very clear about lying and deceit.
As I listened to the person clearly trying to do good, the bottom line was that if I agreed with this behavior, this new opportunity would be born out of sin. And I have been warned enough and taught by the Holy Spirit that the only thing derived from sin is more sin. So, I have decided to be truthful and stand with the promises and facts within the Bible. Even at the cost of a fantastic opportunity. My God is worth more than anything on this earth, and I believe the outcome is already decided anyway, according to his will, so I will go forward and stand upon the strength to be truthful as the LORD has commanded at all costs.
As I sat down in my quiet space, immediately the Holy Spirit brought the words, “God is not a man that he should lie.” These powerful words are from Numbers 23:19-20. This was the perfect place to start my journey today. So, I moved to STEP 2.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Behold, I have received a command to bless;
He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.”
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here are the personalized sentence(s) that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, God is not a man, will He not do? I have received a command, and I cannot reverse.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
As I close my eyes, an unexpected vision comes to my mind. I see a man walking up a mountain. He has been walking for quite some time. Circling the mountain, if you will. His clothes are torn, his skin is worn and leathered, and his hands and feet are both shackled. He walks with his head down, struggling to continue to put one foot in front of the other. He is hunched over and looks like he has not been able to stop walking up this endless mountain for potentially decades or even hundreds of years now.
As the man approached one side of the mountain, two men were waiting for him with water. The LORD told the shackled man not to take anything from anyone; however, with his pain, hunger, and unquenching thirst, he always gives in when he approaches the men since he is unsure how much longer he will have to circle the mountain. He is totally exhausted, almost to the point where he wants to lie down and even die, since death appears to be kinder than continuing at this point.
As he approaches the men’s post, they wave him over, with kindness and compassion, shouting, “We are here. Come, brother, drink. I am sure the LORD would want you to have some water. He is a merciful God.”
Just then, something turns the man’s heart against the men he was so comfortable with before. He hears the Holy Spirit tell him, “DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER!”
The words are so loud and clear, like nothing he has experienced before.
He stops for a moment, tempted in his distress, and then decides to pass them without acknowledgment. As he crosses in front of them, their tone turns. They begin to spit and curse him, saying, “Fine! Don’t take it! You will die! Die! Die!”
The man hears the Holy Spirit again, “Do not pay them any mind. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER!”
The man finally passes the men and sees the next level ahead of him. But where is it going? If it's just another circle, he doesn’t know if he can take it any longer. Maybe he should go back. What if that water was keeping him alive this whole time? His mind begins to flood with intrusive thoughts of doubt that he can make it, and maybe the men are actually a blessing sent from the LORD.
The Holy Spirit warns the man, “Do not turn back. Haven’t you circled this mountain long enough? This water has sustained you; however, the Lord wants to promote you. It is time for a new season, so keep going and don’t look back. Your eternal living water is just ahead.”
I have a question for the Holy Spirit, so I move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, in times like these, it is confusing to discern where the Lord is and where His blessing is located. How can I, and like the man, KNOW without a doubt I will not die if I walk away from the small things presented?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“Look at the scripture and your sentence. He is not a man, and will he not do exceedingly above and beyond. He cannot tell a lie. If you stop for water from those you pass by, which I commanded you to walk up the mountain, not drink on the mountain, why would you divert? If you divert, you will not be promoted since I have a plan that requires more from you. Discipline from you. Focus from you. Once this man has learned to ignore the men along the way and focus on the God in front of him, with the help of the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discernment, he will thirst no more. Just beyond his sightline, there is a stream he is welcome to drink from, but his chains must fall off him to use his hands to cup the endless living water and drink. If he remains in bondage and only depends on the outcomes he can only see in the physical, his chains will remain, and he will keep circling the mountain. He can be free, but will he choose freedom, or will he choose his way instead of my way? Notice how the two men begin to taunt him as he does something different and denies them or rejects their offer. Who sent them to that spot anyway? Why are they there? He never asked any questions; he just gave in to his flesh to quench his thirst. He is not a bad man, just a man of little faith. I am a big God. Focus on big promises since they are nothing in comparison to my knowledge. Do you want to be free and walk into the plans I have for you, or continue to fall short of the places that lie just ahead? Do not compromise who I am inside of you, and be exactly who you were created to be. If these men can pull you off course, we still have work to do before you step into the promised land. But if you can resist and hold out a little longer, you will never drink from earthly vessels again but rather bathe within the endless mercy and provision I have waiting for you to claim. Decide. And believe I am who I say I AM.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Thank you for the strength and encouragement to stand my moral ground in any and every situation, even at the cost of losing something that looks appealing at the moment.
Help me align with like-minded individuals who will understand your ways and operate in harmony.
You have plans to protect me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future. The world cannot do these things. You are the great I AM, and as long as I keep my eyes on you, I know I will never thirst again.
In Jesus' mighty name, I pray and seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus - Amen.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, how long have you been circling a mountain in your life? Today, it ends!
Choose the LORD and break the chains. Do not fall short of the glory he has waiting for you. The blessings that fulfill the LORD’s prophecies and promises, so you will never thirst again.
Stay strong and courageous out there! The LORD, your GOD is with you.
God bless you. See you soon!
