Spiritual resource for pulling down strongholds – Part 1

ZECHARIAH 4:6-9: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.”

Everyone has an assignment in life. There are accomplishments to be made. There are territories to be taken. There are successes to be recorded. But ever since the Devil hijacked the world system, nothing good comes easy! The Devil and his agents have always stood as adversaries (and stronghold), with the intention of preventing us from achieving our aim. Apostle Paul lamented to the Corinthian church, in 1Corinthians 16:9, when he said: “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”

Today, I pray for everyone looking forward to a major accomplishment ahead of him or her, that every adversary standing as a stronghold to prevent you from gaining access shall fall in Jesus name.

Joshua the High Priest was another case in point. The prophet Zechariah had a revelation recorded in Zechariah 3:1 “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” Unfortunately, Joshua the priest didn’t know what was going on, just the same way many of us don’t really know what’s going on spiritually around us. You may have been approaching the presence of The Lord for some things, but there seems to be no progress. Why? Simply because of the stronghold Satan has constituted to prevent you. That stronghold may even be an accusation of the Devil against you before God. Remember he is the accuser of the brethren. But there is help for you in God today.

Zechariah 3:2 “And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” I pray today against every resistance operating against you in the Spiritual, The Lord rebuke them in Jesus’ name.

Thank God for our advocate in heaven! Jesus Christ the senior advocate. The stronghold of Satan against the high priest had some terrible consequences. Zechariah 3:3-5 reveals that “…Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.”

Every stronghold of the Devil that wants to wear you out today will be terminated in Jesus name.There are several people in scripture, who had accomplishments to make, but were confronted with strongholds. Two of them were Joshua and Zerubbabel. In Joshua’s case, the wall of Jericho was one of such strongholds. Joshua 6:1-2 revealed that “…Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.” God said he had given Joshua Jericho yet “The gates of Jericho were kept tightly shut…” (TLB). There are some things in life that are yours for the taking…and yet you can’t take them! There comes a time you arrive at the verge of a breakthrough or some major accomplishment… yet there are gates that have been erected against them. And by the time the gates, the kings and the mighty men of the situation confront you, you’re discouraged and want to give up. At points like this, we need the resources of heaven.

Spiritual resources for pulling down strongholds are best received ahead of the stronghold… So, by the time one is confronted with the stronghold, courage and not discouragement is at hand, confidence not fear is our posture. This was Joshua’s experience. Joshua 5:13-15 records, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand:and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?”
Pastor Seyi Adeyemi, Senior Pastor, The Worship Centre (Assembly of Sons & Daughters of Christ Apostolic Church). The Worship Centre, 1, Worship Centre Avenue, Off Kudirat Abiola Way, First Bank Bus Stop, Oregun, Lagos.