STRENGTHEN WHAT REMAINS
I first heard the Lord say the words, “Strengthen what remains,” to me in March, and I’ve been reminded of them over the past few weeks.
When I initially heard this, I sensed it was a word for young and mature leaders who carry responsibility and influence in certain areas of ministry. God has been shifting, dismantling, repositioning and moving things around in a way that’s been preparing you for a new chapter. Many people have also been stepping into new beginnings in their careers, ministries, businesses or relationships. For some, it looks like an obvious “upgrade” from what was. For others, it feels more like God is laying the foundations for something else. There has been a deep stripping away of things over the past few months and years to prepare you for what lies ahead. This is because your foundations need to be strong enough to sustain the weight of what’s coming — and what you’re made to carry.
When God said the words, “Strengthen what remains”, I later heard Him say, “I can do a lot with bare bones.” I was immediately reminded of Ezekiel 37 — a passage of Scripture God has been highlighting to me repeatedly since the end of last year.
‘“And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.”’
— Ezekiel 37:3-5 NIV
When things are stripped back to the bare minimum, it can be difficult to accept, or even know how to move forward with what’s left. Where there once was strength in the ‘many’ and the ‘much’ of the past, God is now bringing a new kind of strength through the ‘little’ that remains. The point is, He alone will get the glory. He’s the same God who multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed thousands.
Over the weeks I was sitting on this word, I heard the Holy Spirit reveal this to me:
Some people are still trying to rebuild the new on old structures that still need to be torn down.
Don’t get stuck reminiscing about what was, hoping things might return to how they used to be — you risk rebuilding the wrong thing, or building on the wrong foundation. Allow God to do the dismantling, the stripping, and the pulling back. Allow Him to establish the new foundation.
He can do a lot with bare bones.
He can do a lot with the scraps.
He can do a lot with the little pieces.
He can do a lot with what man deems as the “lesser.”
I was re-reading the book of Revelation not too long ago and I was in awe when I came across this verse:
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”
— Revelation 3:2 NIV
God wants to birth something new through you.
It may look nothing like what was. It may be nothing like where you’ve come from and what you’ve known, but in God and through God, it carries significance. Don’t dismiss what appears inferior; don’t neglect it. Be faithful to steward it and strengthen it.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.’”
— Revelation 3:1-3 NKJV
‘Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”’
— Isaiah 35:3-4 NKJV