Has the Lord given you a message for 2023? Have you thought about what the Lord wants for you for the new year? He has plans for you, to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). I feel like the Lord gave me a corporate message for 2023. I wanted to share it with you all.

First, A Story

In the Old Testament book of Joshua, the Israelites are about to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The Lord instructs the new leader Joshua to have the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the overflowing Jordan River so that the people can cross over on dry ground.

The priests have to step in the water by faith, and we see that the waters do not recede until they step in by faith. Here’s what happens:

“So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off.

And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.” (Joshua 3:14-17 ESV)

The River Represents the Holy Spirit

The Jordan River represents the Holy Spirit. Crossing into the Promised Land represents entering into the abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10:10). Jesus says:

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38-39 ESV)

A Pulley System

Pulleys provide a mechanical advantage for lifting heavy objects. If two pulleys are employed, it takes half the amount of force to lift the heavy object. Let’s say you’re trying to lift a 100 pound object. With a two-pulley system, the amount of force you need is only 50 pounds. With a three-pulley system, the amount of force you need to lift the 100 pound object is only 33 pounds. 

I believe in this time and in this year that the Lord will give us “spiritual pulleys,” to help us move spiritual objects that have historically been too heavy for us to move. For example, let’s say we are believing for a friend of ours to have a breakthrough in getting freed from an addiction. Previously, it might take X amount of “spiritual energy” to break it. However, with a “spiritual pulley,” it might only take X/2 or X/3 to move it. By “spiritual energy,” I’m referring primarily to prayer. As we pray for people this year, I feel like the “spiritual needle” will move even higher than before. (This principle is described in Matthew 17:14-21).

Now, on to the message!

Message for 2023

“2023, the year of effort. You will put forth effort, and you will see great fruit from that effort. I will be your strong arm, and you will work and speak on My behalf. Remember, you are My ambassadors, created in Christ for My good works. Step into that river, see the waters recede, walk over on dry ground into My Promised Land, My Abundant Life, for you and for your household, for your children and your grandchildren.

Like a pulley system, what was once heavy for you will now become light. I am working these things out for you. See, I will do it! You will love and enjoy this year, walking in My Presence, in My Spirit, seeing my angels and experiencing great and magnificent things. Get ready for a mind blown, in a good way. You will all walk in peace this year. My peace is your river, always flowing and never ending.”

Blessing

May you walk in the river of peace this year, feeling the Lord’s presence ever closer, being filled up to the fullness with the Holy Spirit, experiencing the goodness of God, walking closely with Jesus. May you all have a year of fruitfulness as you put forth effort in the Lord’s work!