Battle Ax

I see an army, a vast and endless army. They do not carry conventional weapons, they carry weapons of music, song, praise, worship, love, mercy, grace, peace, compassion and intercession. There are pillars of cloud and fire flanking them, north, south, east and west. Their leader sits, patiently resting and watching, atop a white horse. Though the army seems chaotic at times, there is great order as I see the Spirit moving and swooping throughout, arranging them in and out of groups. At specific times, certain groups are called into battle and when some are lost, there is a unified cry of pain and sorrow; when others join the battle, there is a unified cry of joy. Although I cannot fully see them, only sense the weight of their presence, there are fully armed and dressed angels standing guard around the army. They face out from the army, ready and waiting for orders, while protecting the army from incoming attacks.

I hear the Lord say, “You are My battle ax, My militant intercessor and My weapon of war. When in My hands, there is no weapon formed against you that will prosper. You must pick up the armor and weapons I have equipped you with and avoid the weapons the enemy will try to deceive you into carrying. Be aware of the enemy’s weapons- they are wrath, vengeance, self-righteousness, bitterness, jealousy, envy, deception, judgment and condemnation, and he will use guilt and dis-unity as his armor to deceive you into carrying his weapons. I have told you this so you would remain watchful. Stay in My hand, do not move unless I tell you to move, and your watchfulness will increase. I have equipped you with armor sufficient to help you stand your ground, be sure to wear it at all times. It is not heavy, nor will it make you weary for My presence helps you wear it. I have given you the weapons you need to be offensive and defensive, and they are weapons of My Word, praise and worship followed through with love, mercy, grace, compassion, music and song. Be attentive to My Voice and My Spirit as I lead you in this season. Greater things are yet to come, for I am now strategically releasing them. Stay watchful and militant in prayer, the enemy is prowling. It is because of My great love for you that I remind you of this, as I have called each of you for a specific purpose.”

You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms; With you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; With you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider; With you also I will break in pieces man and woman;

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).

A battle ax is meant for close contact fighting. The length of the ax handle dictates how close you must get to be effective in wielding it against your opponent. This is an offensive weapon, but can also be used in defensively blocking the enemy. As the Lord’s battle ax, we must realize we will be in close contact with the enemy, and we must be prepared to be offensive and defensive. The Lord decides the length of our handle, and He is wielder of the weapon. We must keep the blade sharp through prayer, praise and worship, and in feasting on the Word. If not, we will be dull and of no use to Him. He has called us as His weapon, let us be the best and sharpest we can be!