Decree and Establish
Job 22:28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
In the 22nd chapter of the book of Job, Job’s friend, Eliphaz spoke to encourage him while Job was in the depths of his despair over recent, tragic events in his life and current state of sickness. Eliphaz’s encouragement may not have perfectly fit Job’s case, but the statements used were of great truth. Here are a few key statements:
21 "Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.
Eliphaz noted that submitting oneself (Giving in to Him) and coming into agreement with God (that He is right and righteous) is a key to drawing the goodness of God toward us.
22 Accept instruction from his mouth
and lay up his words in your heart.
Next he said to really consider what God’s word says and meditate on them. Through this process we not only find change in our character and integrity, but also develop a true delight for the Lord and a sincere relationship based on trusting Him. This is what leads to the awesome statement made in verse 28.
28 Thou shalt also decree a thing,
and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
Or from the NIV:
28 What you decide on will be done,
and light will shine on your ways.
Many religious circles will deny that this means what it says, but it means just what it says. As you give your heart to the Lord (v21) and meditate on what He wants (v22), your desires will be connected to His. So decree it. Think about this. Who “decrees” something? Only someone in authority decrees and it is done. This is the position God puts His people in. It’s like He says “regardless of where you started or what you used to do, I have a position for you and when you speak, I will back it up.”
As we give God our heart, He gives us His. So you don’t have to worry about being greedy or worldly. There will always be Kingdom purpose. See no limits. HE said decree. You decide how long you want to walk in lack. You decide how long you want to deal with disease. You decide how long you want household turmoil. Decree and patiently hold to what you decree by faith.
In many places, the New Testament writers continue to confirm what is written in Job, but you must know what you have the right to decree. And even more importantly, you must know the God by whom this authority becomes yours. This brings up the REAL question in all of this then: “How do I come to know God?”
The Bible is clear that just “coming to God” is impossible because He is holy (righteously separate) and we are full of sin and faults. Many ask “then why not simply forgive our faults and sins and just move on.” Because God is a just God and for God to excuse sin without cause is not just. This is why Christ is so important. He, being God in flesh (Col.1:19; 2:9), paid (and was the only one who could pay) the full redemption price for sin and shame. He was sent for this. So, not only by His death we have new life, forgiveness, and an assurance of a Heavenly home, but by His stripes (the physical beatings and emotional torment) we have access to physical and emotional health and restoration (Isa.53:5; 1 Pet 2:24). This is not because we earn it, but because we have faith to believe it so deeply, that we would humble ourselves to take the authority to confess it…or better yet, decree it. This pleases God according to His word (Gen. 15:6). He delights in the one that will just come confidently believing in Him regardless of their past or unworthiness. Understand, dear reader, that this view is vastly different from the “Oh, God, I come as such a low down, dirty, nothing, piece of lint, just beggin’ and pleadin’ that you might just hear me” view, that we may hear in many religious circles.
I realize that these things may raise eyebrows and/or rattle cages but seek these things out for yourself. Discover through the word what God’s good will is for you and your family and decree it. Find out how God feels about health for your body and decree it. (Quick note: Some may read John 11:4 and say, “See, Jesus said that Lazarus’ sickness was to glorify God.” Yet, please read the whole context and see was God glorified in the sickness or was He glorified when He raised Lazarus up.) Check and see if God is ever pleased when we are in financial despair or does He have pleasure in the prosperity of His servants and decree it. But don’t be ashamed or self-condemned wherever you are in the process. We are where we are. The key is for us to know that God wants His best for us and He chooses to use our faith through prayer to bring His will to pass. Speaking of prayer, many of us heard what is called ‘the Lord’s Prayer’ many times as children and may have “asked” but never took the authority to decree what it says:
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven Matt. 6:10
Question…How is it in Heaven? Decree it.
J.E.
In the 22nd chapter of the book of Job, Job’s friend, Eliphaz spoke to encourage him while Job was in the depths of his despair over recent, tragic events in his life and current state of sickness. Eliphaz’s encouragement may not have perfectly fit Job’s case, but the statements used were of great truth. Here are a few key statements:
21 "Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.
Eliphaz noted that submitting oneself (Giving in to Him) and coming into agreement with God (that He is right and righteous) is a key to drawing the goodness of God toward us.
22 Accept instruction from his mouth
and lay up his words in your heart.
Next he said to really consider what God’s word says and meditate on them. Through this process we not only find change in our character and integrity, but also develop a true delight for the Lord and a sincere relationship based on trusting Him. This is what leads to the awesome statement made in verse 28.
28 Thou shalt also decree a thing,
and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
Or from the NIV:
28 What you decide on will be done,
and light will shine on your ways.
Many religious circles will deny that this means what it says, but it means just what it says. As you give your heart to the Lord (v21) and meditate on what He wants (v22), your desires will be connected to His. So decree it. Think about this. Who “decrees” something? Only someone in authority decrees and it is done. This is the position God puts His people in. It’s like He says “regardless of where you started or what you used to do, I have a position for you and when you speak, I will back it up.”
As we give God our heart, He gives us His. So you don’t have to worry about being greedy or worldly. There will always be Kingdom purpose. See no limits. HE said decree. You decide how long you want to walk in lack. You decide how long you want to deal with disease. You decide how long you want household turmoil. Decree and patiently hold to what you decree by faith.
In many places, the New Testament writers continue to confirm what is written in Job, but you must know what you have the right to decree. And even more importantly, you must know the God by whom this authority becomes yours. This brings up the REAL question in all of this then: “How do I come to know God?”
The Bible is clear that just “coming to God” is impossible because He is holy (righteously separate) and we are full of sin and faults. Many ask “then why not simply forgive our faults and sins and just move on.” Because God is a just God and for God to excuse sin without cause is not just. This is why Christ is so important. He, being God in flesh (Col.1:19; 2:9), paid (and was the only one who could pay) the full redemption price for sin and shame. He was sent for this. So, not only by His death we have new life, forgiveness, and an assurance of a Heavenly home, but by His stripes (the physical beatings and emotional torment) we have access to physical and emotional health and restoration (Isa.53:5; 1 Pet 2:24). This is not because we earn it, but because we have faith to believe it so deeply, that we would humble ourselves to take the authority to confess it…or better yet, decree it. This pleases God according to His word (Gen. 15:6). He delights in the one that will just come confidently believing in Him regardless of their past or unworthiness. Understand, dear reader, that this view is vastly different from the “Oh, God, I come as such a low down, dirty, nothing, piece of lint, just beggin’ and pleadin’ that you might just hear me” view, that we may hear in many religious circles.
I realize that these things may raise eyebrows and/or rattle cages but seek these things out for yourself. Discover through the word what God’s good will is for you and your family and decree it. Find out how God feels about health for your body and decree it. (Quick note: Some may read John 11:4 and say, “See, Jesus said that Lazarus’ sickness was to glorify God.” Yet, please read the whole context and see was God glorified in the sickness or was He glorified when He raised Lazarus up.) Check and see if God is ever pleased when we are in financial despair or does He have pleasure in the prosperity of His servants and decree it. But don’t be ashamed or self-condemned wherever you are in the process. We are where we are. The key is for us to know that God wants His best for us and He chooses to use our faith through prayer to bring His will to pass. Speaking of prayer, many of us heard what is called ‘the Lord’s Prayer’ many times as children and may have “asked” but never took the authority to decree what it says:
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven Matt. 6:10
Question…How is it in Heaven? Decree it.
J.E.
