Because we live in a broken and fallen world, all of us will experience things that don’t go as we wish them to. There are three basic responses that we take when things go wrong, and the one we choose does much to determine the future course of our lives. You can rehearse all the dreadful things that have happened to you and develop a bad attitude toward life. You can re-curse and vow to “get even” with those that wronged you, which leads to bitterness. Or you can choose to reverse the past.
How does a Christian begin to reverse his or her situation? The answer is found in the book of Job. God’s promises and decrees are important for His people. In fact, they are vital! God asked Job, “What is the deal? Why have you been rehearsing and re-cursing?” The Lord told Job to stop and decree “a thing.” When you decree what God says is true about your life, then it will be established.
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, there is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands” (Job 22:28-30).
When we repeat what God says, we can reverse the curse! So, why don’t Christians do this more often? Mainly because they listen to the devil, the ex-employee of God, who was fired and then he was kicked off the premises. God was telling Job, “Not only will you decree My promises for your life, but I will take you into a new dimension of living. Then you will take downcast men and decree something, and they will be lifted up.”
What that literally means is that by your efforts, you will deliver individuals who are in sin, rebellion, and disobedience. God is giving you a promise for your children, your family, and your friends. They may be in sin, but God will deliver them by the pureness of your hands if you will decree God’s promises.
I urge you to take the promises of Scripture and make them active by declaring them over the situations you face in your life.
