TODAY’S PROPHETIC NUMBERS
November 4, 2024 – 11/04/2024
11 – Heroes Rising (+) Disorder (-)
4 – Creation & Things That Are Made
HOPE FOR LIFE
“And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” Luke 11:4 NKJV
There is a beautiful scene near the end of The Agony and the Ecstasy, Irving Stone’s historical novel about Michelangelo. An ailing Pope Julius II visits the nearly completed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Michelangelo has to help him up the last few rungs of the ladder. He looks up at Michelangelo’s depiction of God about to impart the gift of life to Adam.
This Pope had fought terrible, bloody wars in the name of the church. He has blood on his hands, and he isn’t even sure if it was just or that his cause has been successful. However, as he looks at Michelangelo’s depiction of God, a smile comes to his cracked lips. “Do you truly believe God is that benign?” the Pope asks the artist. Michelangelo replies, “Yes, Holy Father.”
Pope Julius says, “I most ardently hope so, since I am going to be standing before Him before long. If He is as you have painted Him, then I shall be forgiven my sins.” In Michelangelo’s painting, the Pope saw a different image of God, unlike the one he had lived with his whole life. It never occurred to him that God loved to give life. This God he was getting a revelation of wasn’t killing life. He was giving life. This God was a giver even in the face of his sins.
That famous painting of the strong finger of God reaching out to touch the limp-wristed hand of Adam actually started a revival that would ruin the Catholic church’s corner on the market of Christianity. When people saw that image, painted high as if they were looking into heaven – a new revelation of the goodness of God actually giving life – hope began to burst into the hearts of people. This revelation would later turn into a major part of the reformation.
Let us all take time to fast, pray, and ask God to forgive our sins and restore our image of the abundant life He wants to give us. Let’s do that with the expectation that hope will burst into the hearts of us all.
Declaration: I am sanctifying this day, making it a day of personal confession and repentance. I stand in the gap for others so that our country will experience revival of our love of King Jesus. He created us to live with Him and to bring Him glory, so, I am consecrating my life and bowing down to serve Him in all ways. Oh, how I love My Lord!
From My Book: Good Overcomes Evil
