The song birthed out of of the Covid-19 pandemic “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes has been a grace to many around the world. Straight out of the Priestly Blessing of Numbers 6:22-27 and directly from the heart of the Father these words shine forth God’s deep love over His children.

Sunday as we were singing this song the worship leader stopped the singing and shared what the Lord had put on his heart.  He reminded us that it is easy to sing this wonderful song of blessing over our lives and the lives of our families, but he continued, “Can you sing this song over your enemies or over people that have deeply hurt you in your life?”

It was a powerful moment as he challenged people to sing the song again this time beseeching God to bless enemies, family members who have hurt you, a boss you are bitter at, a political party you don’t agree with, a friend who has betrayed you…” As we were singing the words:

May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations and your family and your children and their children and their children…

As we joined together in one accord tears were wiped away and arms reached out to bless. A mighty wind of freedom entered the building. A powerful peace remained long after the service was over.

One of the many things Africa has taught me is the miracle of forgiveness. Recently we talked to a man in his 70’s who lived through the horror of Apartheid. He and his family were forced to give up their home that they lived in for years and be relocated to a township all because of the color of their skin.  Yet, this man openly shared that he had no bitterness nor did he play the victim card toward the government who did this to him. Patty asked him how he could have so much peace after all the terrible things that happened to him and his family?  He said, “Forgiveness has set me free!”

One of the greatest signs of true and total forgiveness is when you can bless your enemies and ask God to bless them as much as He would bless you. This is exactly what Jesus taught and lived out in such a way that a new Kingdom Revolution began, a revolution that will one day will overcome the world. Listen to His powerful command in Matthew 5:43ff:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

Sunday as we were singing favor and blessing over our enemies I sensed the Lord saying this is how my Kingdom will grow the most in this hour! I challenge you to play “The Blessing” and sing it over your enemies and those who have hurt you. You may have to sing it several times before the peace comes, but it will come and you will experience the freedom and victory of the Kingdom of Heaven and you will be apart of a revolution that will not be stopped!

Here is the link to The Blessing from South Africa:

Do you ever feel like shouting from the deepest place in your soul? I mean like so loud that you shake the neighborhood. It appears a lot of people today are having the urge.  We’ve been having our fair share of shouting in South Africa, the United States and around the world.

I believe much of the shouting is based on anger and fear of the unpredictable future from an unsettled soul.  People are shouting in the streets and using their fingers to shout on all forms of social media.  I know in my life time I’ve never seen so much shouting going on.

A good shout during times of pain and uncertainty can actually be cathartic. I admit to a few shouting matches with God over the years especially when I couldn’t understand what He was doing. Perhaps you have had some shouting moments as well. But we are in good company. In the Psalms David freely shouts out to God and cries out with questions and such passages reflect that God is ok with such honesty of the soul.

The other morning in my Bible reading the word “SHOUT” caused me to put down my coffee cup and reread the paragraph. This was not a shout of anger or despair, but rather one of VICTORY.  The kind of shout that has you leaping in the air after your team wins the championship-remember those pre-COVID days.

Perhaps this is the shouting the world needs to hear today:

“A voice said, ‘shout!’  …Shout that people are like the grass that dies away. Their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of flowers in a field. The grass withers, and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the LORD…but the Word of our God stands forever.” (Isa. 40:6-8).

All the politics, power plays, and the plans of people will fade away but the promises of the Word will endure forever. Notice how the shouting continues in the next verses:

“Messenger of good news, shout to Zion from the mountain tops! Shout louder to Jerusalem – do not be afraid…Your God is coming! Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in all His glorious power. He will rule with awesome strength…He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart,” (Isa. 40:9-11).

If Isaiah was told by heaven to shout 700 years before the “Word” came to earth, how much more should those who have encountered the “Word” the Sovereign LORD Jesus Christ. Jesus came as as the perfect Lamb of God to die for lost sheep and was raised to be the Shepherd King who rules now and for all eternity carrying His beloved lambs safely to Father’s House of forever love.

It’s time for all who follow this Shepherd King to shout and keep shouting from the mountain tops the real news, the good news about a real King who has brought a kingdom of love into the hearts of those who will follow in His steps. Go ahead today, give it a try, and Shout it all out!