May the FAVOR of the Lord our God be ours.
PROSPER the work of OUR hands! (Psalm 90:17)
Before the fall, Adam was placed in a garden that was the perfect merger of communion with God and perfect work. The Garden was the territory of man's dominion, and in this garden he walked with God in the cool of the day. Everything that Adam put his hand to became productive in his assigned territory. The environment recognized his authority and cooperated with him. He was given dominion over all forces within the sphere of this assignment. It appears that the garden was an expanding project that was meant to fill the earth with God’s glory and dominion. There were adversaries, as we know, because of the existence of a serpent. Adam was to rule over all that militated against his work.
When man fell, the ground was no longer cooperating. Part of the curse was “sweat” related to work, “thorns and thistles” instead of a garden of lush productivity … and death in the dust of the earth.
(Gen 3:18-19) “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field ; By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken ; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”
Now behold another moment in a garden when God fixes the situation. Jesus, whom the Bible calls the “SECOND ADAM“, heroically wrestled the hosts of hell in A GARDEN called Gethsemane. The second Adam lies prostrate on the ground as He SWEATS “great drops of BLOOD” mingled with perspiration … and REVERSES THE CURSE. Where does the blood fall? Into the ground!
(Lk 22:44) “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Within hours of His triumph in the garden, a rough Roman garrison will weave a crown of thorns and beat it into the head of the “Second Adam”, and His noble brow will be pierced with the thorns of the curse. Mankind, vexed with the worries and sweat of earning their bread, is being dealt with finally and forever in this often overlooked aspect of Christ’s atonement.
When the gruesome execution on the Cross is complete and the last drop of blood shed, Second Adam will be laid in a GARDEN TOMB, but the body of the Messiah will not suffer decay like other sons of Adam, because this Adam NEVER SINNED! Death will not hold Him…dust cannot claim Him. He who was the author of life rises triumphant on the third day.
He appears to the disciples as they return toiling all night in search of a catch of fish….that never materialized. The Master tells them to let down their net, and suddenly they are nearly sunk under the weight of their catch. The Second Adam once again demonstrates His power to break the curse of fruitless toil over His disciples.
We have celebrated the power of the Atonement in all other respects as far as sin and death are concerned. It is the last part of this great atonement we will witness in the Last Days. While men toil to “buy and sell” under the mark of a beastly economic oppression, others will demonstrate the “powers of the age to come” by showing the power of the Kingdom.
The ATONEMENT delivered us from sin, demonic oppression, sickness, death AND laboring with thorns and the sweat of our brow.
Access to Paradise is restored. God has a garden for you in your assigned sphere of work. Walk with Him in the cool of the day, and WATCH as earth itself cooperates with the children of the Second Adam. All creation is longing for the manifestation of the sons of God. The Last generation of the sons of Adam will reveal the secret to “no sweat” in the service of God who promised to give you FAVOR and PROSPER the work of YOUR HANDS!
That was fabulous!! I’m out for ‘demonstrating the powers of the age to come’ even while a business professional in the marketplace!!!
Thanks Lance!
Stopping to read this message was the best thing I have done so far today. My perspective is adjusted to His now, and I am reminded that if I am sweating it out, it’s probably not His yoke. “Access to Paradise is restored…” is echoing in my heart. Thanks, Lance! Whoo-hoo!
The Rema of God’s Word is just what The Bride needs. Thank You
Let there be Light everywhere Your Bride goes.
I have been in this business going on 5 years and I believe in my heart that God placed us here, even provided the money. But it’s been a constant battle in the finances. Until today the business has paid all the bills,but barely paying me. I do have an employee that I pay so that I’m not consumed by this place. We are a ministry to the homeless and a light in this community. I know that trusting God is my only option, but I’m at a loss !!! We just had to spend $1000 of our personal cash ! I don’t think God is calling me out of this place, but I don’t know what to do besides sell !!??
My prayers are with you, Connie, as I also have a God given calling in my heart which is to influence the arts & creativity mountain and every time I launch out into an arts venture, I experience financial hardships. But even when I go onto other things because of cash flow, without any effort on my part, the Lord always presents another opportunity for me to get involved in the arts which I find difficult to refuse. All these experiences only gives me more clarity and confidence in fulfilling His Kingdom purposes through my life. I pray that the Lord will give you a greater confirmation of your calling and reveal a strategy to generate cash flow.
You always bring it home with meaning. Thank you, Lance.
I loved this! Love hearing and reading about the finished work of Jesus Christ. I have been saturating myself and meditating on such teachings! I can’t get enough of it. It’s not about what we do, but what He has done. We will never measure up in our own efforts apart from HIm. Its understanding and living in the unforced rhythms of Grace.
Hi Lance, I found this article VERY encouraging as I have recently been aware of asking God to bless the work of my hands. After much time reading and listening to your teaching, I rediscovered my passion and at 49, I returned to University studying a Bc Honours Degree in Music Composition & Technology for Film & Games, just this September. I’ve discovered that it is not too late and I have felt the Holy Spirit help me with downloads of music for my first film clips resulting in good feedback; taking the ‘sweat’ out of it. May it continue and I thank God for the work of YOUR hands too! Lauren
I find your comment really encouraging. Im a black actor in England almost at the point of giving up and yet there are scripts for film and plays that I know I must press on with. I feel this is where God has given me a voice. Yes im in a job I cannot reconcile with it is so far from where I believe Im suppose to be, just to hear you regaining passion, encourages me. Bless you, Gary
Don’t lose heart Gary, as I read your comment I somehow sensed that your breakthrough is about to come. Your destiny will find you, be faithful.
There is an element of anointing and revelation in this article. It baths the psyche and gives answer to the futility that accompanies and thwarts much of human endeavors.
The economic environment of the world is no match for the Divine strategies of God. In this season, learning how to rest in Him, His work, His favor, and His prosperity for my personal life and business and take my direction for what truly needs to be done has produced more abundance of fruit in every which way. Lost iphone – found, computer ruined in transit – restored, new clients seeming to come out of thin air, clients prospering – sometimes just because of the favor I carry… I allowed stress and striving to exist for far too long. This message further establishes the truth by which I am to run my life… and presented as only you can, Lance!
Perfect timing as always Lance!
Just worked 13.5 hours yesterday doing an extra
Side job – cleaning. Thought: decided yesterday
To keep praying God continues to bless me
Financially so I don’t have to do anymore extra
Side work 🙂 Look forward to that manifestation
Of financial prosperity – in Jesus name – Amen!