Grace in the Wilderness
by Rick Lunsford

"Thus says the Lord, the people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness… I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness. Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt." (Jeremiah 31:2-4)

This promise, of course, was for Israel. God promised that He, out of His loving kindness, would rebuild her after her near extinction and exile from the promise land. I also know what it is to be gratefully grafted into Christ Jesus, having been made joint heirs in Christ. We have received, with Israel - God's chosen people, salvation to those who believe and His divine promises; both to them and to us together (Ephesians 2:10)

Even now God is, by His grace, giving revelation to those who would seek Him humbly. He is unfolding His word layer by layer, both for the future of the corporate church - His body, and for our individual lives; that we would find direction in these last days. The Psalmist says "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105) Therefore, having read and meditated on these scriptures, I believe that this is what the Lord is saying to both Israel and the Church.

In 1996 I gave a challenge to the church I was pastoring at the time to respond to what I believe was an open vision I had received in March of 1995. In it I saw the Lord Jesus in His glorified body. His hair was as white as snow, His eyes were as a flaming fire, and His feet were as burnished bronze or gold. He held a two edged Sword in His right hand as He stood at the door of my home knocking.

When I opened the door He spoke to me and said, "My son, I have come to thrust you through, for you must die." I knew in my spirit that he was talking about the death of my flesh. So, in my usual, spontaneous way, I said, " Then thrust me Lord." As these words bolted from my mouth, my eyes met His. I was gripped by what I saw. Tears were flowing like rivers from His then soft eyes and were running down and off of His beard.

It was then that He spoke again to me, "No, my son, you don't understand. This is not an instant death, but rather, the way, through humility, to embrace the fellowship of my sufferings. You will be despised and rejected. You will feel alone, unloved, unwanted, not needed; and many will turn against you. You will feel as though I have abandoned you and that your ministry has come to an end. Your beliefs will be shaken and you will be broken."

He then said to me, "I will come to many with this sword. Some will run from it and wait to die of old age. But to those who receive it, I will grant new life, fullness of joy, fresh anointing and greater intimacy - more than they have ever known or experienced." I then said soberly, "Then thrust me Lord." (Continued on page 2)